Sheffield United are guaranteed at least a place in the Championship playoffs this season.
With four games remaining for most teams, no side currently outside the top six can better their points total of 79.
Of course, ideally the Blades will gain automatic promotion to the Premier League. However, with second-placed Leeds United three points ahead of them at present, that is a battle that looks set to go to the wire.
So in the worst case scenario of having to go into the playoffs, when would Chris Wilder’s men play?
Well the fixtures have been released, with the first-leg of the two semi-finals to be played on the same day on Saturday, 11 May. The first game will kick off at 12.30pm, while the second will be played at 5.15pm.
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The second leg of the first semi will then be three days later on Tuesday, 14 May – kick off 7.45pm. The return leg of the second clash will take place 24 hours later on Wednesday, 15 May.
Who will the Blades face?
(Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
The format in the playoffs sees the team that finishes third playing the side that finishes sixth. Fourth will then take on fifth, with the two winners meeting in the final at Wembley on Monday, May 27.
United currently have a six-point gap between themselves and West Bromwich Albion. Aston Villa and Bristol City in fifth and sixth respectively could also go ahead of them should they win all their remaining games – and the Blades lose all theirs.
So in reality, if Wilder’s side do not go up automatically then they are likely to finish third. That would see them play sixth. There are probably four teams vying for that position – Villa, Bristol City, Middlesbrough and Derby County.
However, Hull City and even Sheffield Wednesday possibly have an outside shot of sneaking in. Could a playoff Steel City Derby be on the cards?
