Sheffield United continued their assault on promotion to the Championship as they sealed a hard-fought 2-1 win at Notts County last Tuesday night. The Blades had got off to a dream start when Jamie Murphy lashed in a wonderful effort from just inside the box with 16 minutes gone. But Notts hit back 10 minutes before the break and were level when Liam Noble back-heeled an equaliser after a favourable ricochet inside the area. Shaun Derry's Magpies continued to pose a threat in the second half and should have moved in front when Garry Thompson raced clean through but saw Iain Turner make a crucial save.
Balint Bajner then volleyed just wide of the post as Derry hoped to maintain his unbeaten managerial record against the Blades. But Matt Done brought an end to that record when he turned in from close range following great work by Bob Harris. Notts threw everything forward in the latter stages in the hope of salvaging an equaliser but their efforts were in vain as they suffered their ninth defeat at Meadow Lane this season.
Blades boss Nigel Clough is expected to name an uncharged side ahead of the visit of Coventry City. This will mean that Iain Turner will carry-on in goal with Mark Howard still sidelined. They will also be without Jose Baxter (dead leg) and Stefan Scougall (knee) who are both injured.
Meetings against Coventry City have proven (in the past) to be big ties but whilst this fixture will retain it's importance to both clubs for different reasons it will be no doubt be low key as to other fixtures United have come across this season. Since there liquidation almost two years ago the Sky Blues have slightly picked themselves up. Despite trailing near the relegation places and are currently only one point better off they have returned to their Ricoh Arena home.They were out of action last weekend, owing to Bradford City's involvement in the FA Cup so will no doubt be feeling more the refreshed team after a 10 day absence which saw them draw 1-1 with Scunthorpe United on 10 February. However there dimise this season can be pointed out to lack of victories and since the begining of December have only mustered two (and five draws) wins in twelve matches played in all competitions.
Gary McSheffrey looked to have come back to haunt Coventry as he fired Scunthorpe ahead only for Marcus Tudgay to rescue a point for the home side in a 1-1 draw deep into stoppage time. McSheffrey, who started his career as a teenager for Coventry, netted in the 21st minute with a deftly-taken free-kick. Aaron Martin brought the 32-year-old down just outside the penalty area and McSheffrey calmly lifted a left-footed free-kick over the wall and beyond Coventry goalkeeper Jamie Jones.
With Coventry floating just above the relegation zone, McSheffrey realised the potential damage his goal could do to his hometown club and refused to celebrate. Coventry, who last won at home in the league back in November, could well have pulled level when Martin forced a good save out of visiting goalkeeperLuke Daniels with a good header. Home defender Aaron Phillips should have tested the goalkeeper in the first half when he burst clear, but he blasted over. But Scunthorpe were wasting time in the dying stages and it cost them dear when Tudgay cleverly lobbed home.
The Sky Blues will be without Frank Nouble and former Sheffield Wednesday defender Reda Johnson (both hamstring) through injury as they suffer through injury. Meanwhile Sammi Odelusi (hamstring) is doubtful but Andy Webster has returned to training but unlikely to feature at Bramall Lane tomorrow.
Ahead of the fixture Sky Blues defender Jordan Willis said; "Saturday is a big game for us and we need a result. The results haven't been the best recently but we're working on scoring more goals in training. The lads are still confident and the mood is still good, you can't afford to beat yourself up when things go wrong.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 2 Coventry City 0
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