A top 6 finish was looking an almost certainty two months ago but having gone 5 games without a victory the United faithful are worrying that they'll be lucky if they even make the play-offs. With local rivals Barnsley, Doncaster Rovers and Chesterfield all looking to steal our current 5th position these next three matches at home to Port Vale, Scunthorpe United and Crewe Alexandra are all vital in securing a possibility of promotion - ideally 9 points are required before visiting Barnsley on 4 April.
United have drawn three times in the last six matches but looked set to claim victory on Tuesday night at Walsall until the Saddlers came up with an equaliser to draw the game level.
Walsall had to settle for a point in a 1-1 draw after dominating promotion-chasing Sheffield United at the Banks's Stadium Substitute Ashley Grimes hit Walsall's second-half equaliser within two minutes of coming on, leaving the Blades without a win in five games. United made the perfect start and, after Richard O'Donnell made a terrific save from a fierce Matt Done shot, they took the lead in the eighth minute. Jose Baxter robbed Sam Mantom, burst forward and lashed a 25-yard drive beyond the diving O'Donnell.
Walsall dominated possession after that but too many moves petered out in the final third, although Jordy Hiwula might have done better from a Jordan Cook chip. But his header from close range sailed straight into keeper Mark Howard's hands. Grimes headed Walsall level in the 71st minute from a Ben Purkiss cross and the Saddlers missed several chances to win the game before O'Donnell made a great last-minute save from Ben Davies.
Blades boss Nigel Clough can welcome back Chris Basham from suspension after being sidelined for the last two matches. The Blades will again be without defender Terry Kennedy (knee) and with a defensive shortage scuppering tactical plans the former Derby boss has recalled Harrison McGahey from his loan spell at Tranmere Rovers, United will also be without Stefan Scougall (knee) and striker Michael Higdon (hamstring), through injury.
Whilst the Blades were drawing at Walsall, Port Vale lost by three goals to two at home to Crawley Town. They lay 13th in the table but having won three out of their last six matches may consider themselves an outside bet on reaching the play-offs. They are just six points away from sixth position and a win at Bramall Lane tomorrow would go a long way to achieving it.
Crawley came from behind twice at Port Vale before boosting their survival chances with a second 3-2 away victory in four days. Vale took a fourth-minute lead when Tom Pope knocked Mark Marshall's right-wing corner into the six-yard box and Louis Dodds spun to fire home. Crawley started poorly but improved as the half wore on and Izale McLeod went close before Anthony Wordsworth equalised in the 43rd minute. Wordsworth struck a speculative low shot from the edge of the penalty area and the ball took a wicked deflection to hit the middle of the net as Vale keeper Chris Neal dived to his left.
But Vale regained the lead in added time at the end of the first half. Marshall was again involved before Dodds rifled a low right-foot shot inside Lewis Price's post from the right corner of the six-yard area. Crawley levelled for a second time in the 54th minute when McLeod's eight-yard header went in off the underside of the crossbar after Richard Wood had helped on a Wordsworth free-kick. And the unchallenged Wood put the visitors ahead with a powerful eight-yard header into the roof of the net after Wordsworth swung over a right-wing corner in the 70th minute. Vale manager Rob Page rung the changes late on, but Crawley played out time in comfort to mirror their 3-2 success at Colchester on Saturday.
Vale boss Robert Page will check on the fitness of duo Carl Dickinson and Byon Moore before naming his starting XI to face the Blades. However one player not included will be striker Alex Nimely who was linked with the Blades last summer after being released by Manchester City - he is currently AWOL.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 2 Port Vale 0
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