It’s back to Bramall Lane again for Sheffield United tomorrow as Rotherham make the short trip across South Yorkshire.
The Blades can go top of the Championship with a win over the Millers. This weekend’s 5-2 home hammering of Burnley has given the club a renewed confidence.
With just two games to go until the World Cup, Paul Heckingbottom will be determined to finish on a high. A win over Rotherham would make it four on the bounce and put United at the summit ahead of facing Cardiff next weekend.
Of course, two games in four days will give Heckingbottom food for thought in terms of team selection. Will he go with the same XI? Or will he use it as a chance to manage minutes and prevent injuries. We’ve taken a look.
Team News
Bodies are coming back into the fold for United but Paul Heckingbottom remains without a number of key players.
Longer term absentees such as Sander Berge, Jayden Bogle, and Rhian Brewster are all out. However, there might be better news when it comes to the likes of James McAtee and Tommy Doyle. Both Man City loanees were close to being fit for Saturday and Heckingbottom might call on one or the other tomorrow.
At the top of the pitch, Billy Sharp and Reda Khadra will hope to get minutes. However, Oli McBurnie and Iliman Ndiaye’s form means it’s hard for the Blades boss to drop either.
In defence, Enda Stevens returned to the XI and did well v Burnley. But after so long out, Ben Osborn may well be on standby to slot back in at wing-back after doing well in midfield this weekend.
Predicted Sheffield United XI v Rotherham
We think Heckingbottom will try and manage a few players here but won’t want to ring the changes given how good the second half was.
With that, we feel that Stevens will come out for James McAtee, moving Osborn to that left wing-back slot.
If he’s fully fit, we could also see Tommy Doyle return. Heckingbottom has mentioned John Fleck’s fitness more than once recently and the Scot could be afforded a rest.
Here, then, is our predicted Sheffield United XI as the Blades entertain Rotherham tomorrow.
