Sheffield United's fine display at Oakwell last Saturday saw the Blades beat South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley by two goals to nil and thus ending the Reds nine match unbeaten run. It was an important three points for United who currently lay 7 points (at the time of writing) ahead of 7th in the table.
Steven Davies and Jason Holt struck in either half to secure Sheffield United a 2-0 win at South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley and boost their play-off chances. Davies broke the deadlock three minutes before the interval with a header and Holt made sure of the points for Nigel Clough's side with the second in the 71st minute. Holt had the first effort of the match with a header which was saved by Barnsley's on-loan goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith. Barnsley responded with a Conor Hourihane free-kick which struck the defensive wall and then a long-range drive from Josh Scowen which went narrowly wide.
The visitors dominated for the rest of the half with Jamie Murphy having an effort saved and Davies heading just over. Blades defender Chris Basham had a shot deflected wide and a close-range effort from Ryan Flynn was blocked. Davies then put United ahead, meeting Kieron Freeman's free-kick with a superb looping header which went into the far corner of the net. Barnsley had a couple of half-chances with teenage defender Mason Holgate heading wide and Hourihane's effort was deflected off-target. Holt added a second goal with a sweetly-struck drive from just outside the penalty area after the Barnsley defence had failed to clear.
Blades boss Nigel Clough may be without derby day hero Steve Davies (knock) who is listed as doubtful after being substituted at half-time at Oakwell, however Matt Done (who has scored 20 goals this season) could return to take his place. Meanwhile midfielder Stefan Scougall (knee) played three minutes in the win at the weekend having recovered from injury and will be pushing for a start. As will defender Jay McEveley (shoulder) - otherwise there are no new fresh injury concerns to worry about.
Doncaster Rovers where defeated in their Yorkshire Derby last Good Friday at home to Bradford City and have now given themselves a difficult task in reaching the top six. They are currently 12th in the table and 7 points behind 6th place in the league, points in the next few weeks are vital if Rovers are to make a late play-off push but I predict that Doncaster will have to face at least one more season in the third tier next season. Their form guide is all out of sorts too having won just once in the last six matches (drawn twice) and with the visit of Rochdale at the Keepmoat this Saturday six points will be heavily important to create a late promotion push.
Bradford moved to within one place of the play-offs with a superb 3-0 win at the Keepmoat Stadium, which may well have scuppered Yorkshire rivals Doncaster's top-six bid in the process. Second-half goals from Gary MacKenzie, Billy Clarke and Tony McMahon sent the 2,140 visiting fans home happy as the Rovers faithful were left to reflect on yet another home defeat. Doncaster shot out of the blocks and nearly took the lead inside 30 seconds, but Jonson Clarke-Harris' effort from Harry Forrester's cross flashed just wide.
Bradford created their first real chance in the 24th minute when Clarke met Filipe Morais' cross, but he could not direct his header on target. The best chance of the half came two minutes shy of the break when Curtis Main composed himself on the edge of the box before smashing a fierce shot against the angle of post and bar. Bradford stunned Rovers nine minutes into the second half when a frantic goalmouth scramble ended with MacKenzie bundling the ball home.
Rovers were almost level three minutes later, but Ben Williams produced an excellent save to keep out Dean Furman's effort. Stephen Bywater saved well from Billy Knott as City searched for a second, which duly came with 63 minutes on the clock when James Hanson broke away and teed up Clarke who drove home from the edge of the box. Substitute McMahon rubbed Rovers' noses in it in added-on time as he rifled home the third in a Bradford break away.
Doncaster may make changes to the side which lost heavily to the Bantams with winger Kyle Bennett and forward Nathan Tyson both gunning for a re-start. Rovers boss Paul Dickov also has defenders Cedric Evina and Jamie McCombe and midfielder Abdul Razak as an option. Meanwhile striker Liam Mandeville, 18 made his league debut last Friday and is likely to be included at Bramall Lane tomorrow also - however Paul Keegan (knee) is sidelined through injury.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 3 Doncaster Rovers 1