Sheffield United started the campaign off brightly with a win at home to Nott's County under new boss David Weir but this was to be his only victory during his reign and 12 league and cup fixtures later was dismissed of his duties and in October Nigel Clough stepped in and despite being in the bottom four after a 0-3 loss at Crewe in early February find themselves (only just) missing out on the Play-Offs. They have been unbeaten in their previous seven league fixtures and featured in a FA Cup semi-final!
United are unable to finish in the top six but a win over their opponents tomorrow could hand them a 7th place finish should Swindon Town either draw or lose at home to Rotherham United. The Blades come into the fixture following a 1-1 draw at Oldham Athletic last Tuesday night where they had to wait until 84th minute for Chris Porter to turn home John Brayford's low cross in what was a spirited second half performance.
Blades boss Nigel Clough may end the season fielding Academy players with Connor Dimaio, Otis Khan and Louis Reed looking to be included. However he is without Belgian midfielder Florent Cuvelier (ligaments) through injury and left-full back Bob Harris (groin) is doubtful and likely to be replaced by either Kieron Freeman or Matt Hill.
United are likely to field Captain Michael Doyle to face his former club. He was part of the Sky Blues team for ten and a half years from July 2003 to January 2011. He made his City debut in a League Cup win (2-0) over Peterborough United having made the switch from Scottish club Celtic a few months previous and scored his first goal three games later against Port Vale. In total he made 286 (+11) appearances for the Sky Blues and scored
Despite a difficult start to the season which saw Coventry City go into liquidation and move almost 40 miles from their former Ricoh Arena home to Northampton Town's Sixfields Stadium which subsequently also saw attendances drop. They were also deducted 10 points but soon made ground and found themselves amongst the top six but fading results has subjected them to near bottom finish, however their point gained at home to Champions Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend was enough to secure League One status for next season.
Wolves failed to break the League One points record as they drew 1-1 with Coventry City at Sixfields. Dave Edwards thought he had scored the winner with six minutes to play but a Danny Batth own-goal shortly afterwards meant the champions had to settle for a share of the points. In a first half of few openings, the visitors went closest when a Michael Jacobs shot from 25 yards out forced Joe Murphy into a good save. In an attempt to take the game to the hosts, Wolves boss Kenny Jackett brought on Bakary Sako and Nouha Dicko around the hour mark and Sako was involved instantly as his corner was headed by Batth into Murphy's hands.
Wolves scored the opener after 84 minutes when Sako's cross from the left was diverted in by Edwards from six yards out. But the Sky Blues were level just a couple of minutes later when Mark Marshall's whipped ball in was headed inadvertently into his own net by Batth. The result means Coventry are safe from relegation and Wolves will make League One history with a win in their final game of the season.
The Sky Blues have gone six games without a victory and haven't won since 29 March when they recorded a 2-1 win at Crewe Alexandra but boss Steven Pressley heads to Bramall Lane for the final match of the season without Franck Moussa (back) who is sidelined through injury.
Message from Sheffield United Football Club...
The players and management are extremely, after Saturday’s final game, to spend some time walking around the pitch to thank the Blades fans for their incredible support during throughout this season. The plan is that the players will go into the home dressing room straight after the final whistle, thus allowing the Coventry City players and staff the opportunity to thank their own supporters in Bramall Lane Upper. When the Coventry players have departed down the tunnel, Nigel Clough and the players will come back out to thanks supporters and walk around the stadium, starting with GAC G/H , then along to the QuickQuid Stand, followed by acknowledging Kennedys KOP and GAC Stand. The club wish to make it clear that the only way this ‘walk of thanks’ will be able to take place, is if supporters refrain from coming onto the pitch when the final whistle is blown..
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 2 Coventry City 0