Sheffield United come into this fixture high in spirits after not only coming so close against Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-final of the League Cup last Wednesday night but two goals from Jamie Murphy, in what can be best described as a make-shift team beat top of the league Swindon Town 2-0. With the winners of this tie potentially facing Manchester United at home on Valentine's weekend I am sure that both sides will be eager to win this fixture.
Substitute Jamie Murphy scored twice as Sheffield United beat leaders Swindon 2-0.Swindon were the better side in the first half, carving out a number of goalscoring opportunities.Harry Toffolo put an early free-kick narrowly wide while John Swift had a low shot saved by keeper Iain Turner.Che Adams had United's first effort of note, sending a curling effort just wide.Swindon continued to press with Jonathan Obika seeing his shot palmed away by Turner and Swift then firing over.
Turner also kept out a shot from Jack Stephens while United's Ben Davies struck a post from a free-kick in time added on at the end of the half.Soon after the restart, Turner kept out Andy Williams' angled shot with his legs and then saved efforts from Swift and Obika.The opening goal came in the 73rd minute when Murphy produced a fine, first-time finish, dinking the ball past Wes Foderingham after meeting Louis Reed's cross from the right.Murphy added a second in stoppage time after the Swindon defenders pushed forward and left Foderingham exposed
Blades boss Nigel Clough made 10 dramatic changes from the side which drew 2-2 with Spurs in midweek ahead of their home fixture with Swindon. The former Derby boss gave debuts to Keiron Freeman, Paul Coutts and John Brayford - also giving him the captain's armband. He is likley to recall the majority with only Chris Basham being the remaining player who started against Hotspurs.
United have no fresh injury concerns but will be without Brayford and Coutts who are both cup-tied, Ryan Flynn and Michael Doyle are likely to take there places.
Preston North End have had a busy (and miserable) time since the initial draw with Sheffield United on 24th January. The Lilywhites were denied an opportunity of a Wembley finale when they were dumped out of the Football League Trophy (JPT) 2-0 on aggregate by League One rivals Walsall. They haven't faired much better in the league either, losing 2-1 at Crawley Town last Saturday. In fact; they haven't won a competitive fixture since 3 January when they humiliated Norwich City in the FA Cup and there last league victory came on Boxing Day at home to Barnsley.
Much-travelled striker Lee Fowler came off the bench to hit the winner on his debut as relegation-threatened Crawley beat play-off chasing Preston 2-1. Fowler, signed on loan from Conference Premier Nuneaten, gave the Red Devils their first win for 16 games in all competitions with a 20-yard volley three minutes from time. Winger Kyel Reid was twice off target for Preston before midfielder Anthony Wordsworth gave Crawley the lead on is home debut in the 16th minute.
Lewis Young set up the goal with a quick break down the right and his cross was bundled in at close range by Wordsworth after keeper Sam Johnstone had parried his initial effort. Leading scorer Izale McLeod threatened for the hosts with a powerful run before firing narrowly over with only Johnstone to beat. Crawley keeper Lewis Price saved a deflected shot from Reid at the other end after the Preston man ran through unchallenged.
Paul Huntington had a header tipped over by Price before putting his side level by heading in a corner from Paul Gallagher at the near post 11 minutes after the interval. Preston keeper Sam Johnson did well to parrying a goal-bound free kick from Jimmy Smith, and Crawley defender Lanre Oyebanjo had a shot cannon back off the crossbar nine minutes from time.
North End manager Simon Grayson will be without key personnel at Bramall Lane tonight. Joe Garner, Jordan Hugill and Andy Little are all sidelined through injury whilst new recruit Daniel Johnson is cup-tied. On loan from Aston Villa the youngster has already featured twice against the Blades this season whilst on loan spells at Chesterfield and Oldham Athletic. Meanwhile keeper Sam Johnstone (on loan from Manchester United) is also cup-tied. Elsewhere striker Jermaine Beckford is recovering from illness but may feature in tonight's clash.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 1 Preston North End 0