The Blades will be looking for a vital victory over the Robins, with just one point separating them and sixth placed Peterborough United, the Blades could creep into the play-offs should they win their match at Bramall Lane this weekend. Having drawn at Wigan Athletic in a thrilling 3-3 result, Nigel Adkins men added further drama when they won dramatically at Colchester United in injury time.
David Edgar scored a late winner to help Sheffield United claim a vital 2-1 win at lowly Colchester United. Colchester winger Gavin Massey fired over from a tight angle early on, while Marvin Sordell also went close for the hosts. But Sheffield United took a 20th-minute lead through Billy Sharp, who squeezed a low shot past goalkeeper Jake Kean after Matt Briggs had failed to deal with George Long's long clearance.
Matt Done sent a shot well wide of the far post before the break but Colchester started the second half well. Long made a good save to push away Alex Gilbey's fine 25-yard effort before the U's equalised just before the hour through Tom Eastman, who glanced a precise header home from Sordell's cross. Colchester pushed for a winner after that and Long saved with his legs to save from George Moncur, following Sordell's assist. Long denied Moncur again but Edgar turned in a corner from close range in the 90th minute to secure victory for Sheffield United.
Sheffield United manager Nigel Adkins is expected to choose from an unchanged squad for the visit of Swindon. Adkins has no new injury or suspension concerns following last week's 2-1 win at Colchester and is unlikely to make too many changes, if any. George Long has assumed the role of first-choice goalkeeper in recent weeks and should continue with Mark Howard on the bench. Forwards Jose Baxter, Conor Sammon and Che Adams, plus midfielders Ryan Flynn and Louis Reed are pushing for recalls.
Laying 14th in the League One table, Swindon Town look a shadow compared to the side which reached the Play-Off Final last season, beating the Blades along the way in that epic 7-6 aggregate games. Despite such a low position they are 12 points from safety having beaten Crewe Alexandra 4-3 in their last outing, an impressive result having fallen behind by three goals to one.
Robins captain Nathan Thompson returned to the side which beat Crewe after a long period of absence through injury and is likely to start again against the Blades this weekend. Temporary boss Luke Williams is expected to travel with a fully fresh squad with no new injuries to contend with, with newly acquired midfielder Michael Doughty (on loan from QPR) on course to make his Robins debut.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 2 Swindon Town 0
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