Blades v Bluebirds... your big game guide
CARDIFF City travel to Bramall Lane this afternoon as Steve Morison and his side look to string some form together in their last four games of the season.
Paul Heckingbottom’s Sheffield United side will be boosted by the extension of star man Billy Sharp’s contract keeping him at the club until the summer of 2023.
Here’s everything you need to know about this one...
What time is Sheffield Utd v Cardiff City?
3PM today
Is Sheffield Utd v Cardiff City on TV?
NO, the match will not be broadcast on TV.
Sheffield Utd v Cardiff City live stream details
UK supporters will not be able to watch the Cardiff game as it kicks off at 3pm. International Video passes are available to fans overseas for £10 courtesy of Cardiff City TV.
For UK fans Audio Passes are available for £2.50 per game or £5 for the month, to follow every kick. You can follow the game on our football page from midday. glen.williams@walesonline.co.uk
What’s the latest team news?
MORISON revealed that he would be without both Alfie Doughty and Sam Bowen for the rest of the season. Doughty is returning to his parent club Stoke City, whilst Bowen’s slow recovery from a hamstring issue has ruled him out. Isaak Davies also picked up a niggle in training this week and has been ruled out for this week, but Morison hopes it will not keep him out of action for too long. Max Watters and Joe Ralls are both set to be included in the squad. Sean Morrison and Isaac Vassell remain the long-term absentees.
Heckingbottom is hopeful Sharp will celebrate his contract extension with a return from injury in time to face the Bluebirds. George Baldock will also be in the selection mix. The Blades boss is without Oli McBurnie (for the rest of the season), David McGoldrick, Rhian Brewster, Jack O’Connell and Charlie Goode due to injury.
What have the managers said? Heckingbottom, speaking on
rival teams in play-off places, said: “Everyone is doing the same; winning and losing, the only thing for us is if we win our games, we are there one game at a time up against a Cardiff team who can be dangerous they are playing with a freedom. This stage of the season is really strange.” On Cardiff, he added: “They have changed the way they play. They are still a direct threat and tough, scored the most headed goals by a long, long way. Still got that in the team but picked a lot more players with energy around that and they are trying to play a bit more football and in that respect really dangerous because they are playing with a freedom.” Morison said: “We are not on a comparison with Sheffield United - they have players on 40 grand a week! We have to concentrate on ourselves and how we are going to do it. We are wholly focused on ourselves and the best plan going forward. The atmosphere will be fantastic. It’s a game you should be thoroughly looking forward to. If you don’t turn up you’ll get turned over. They are a really good team and you have to enjoy that pressure. We want to win the game and I’ll go there and pick the team best suited for that game.”
What are the latest betting odds?
SHEFFIELD Utd – 4/7 DRAW – 11/4
CARDIFF City – 5/1
ODDS courtesy of PaddyPower and correct at time of publishing.
Match facts
Sheffield United are looking to complete a league double over Cardiff City for the first time since the 1984-85 season.
Cardiff City are unbeaten in six away league matches against Sheffield United ( W2 D4) since a 2-1 defeat in December 2004.
Sheffield United lost 2-1 in their last home league match against Reading; they have never lost consecutive home games under Paul Heckingbottom, who last suffered consecutive home Football League defeats in March 2018 as Leeds United manager.
Cardiff City have lost three of their last four league games ( W1), as many as in their previous 12 Championship games combined.
Only Billy Sharp (14) has scored more Championship goals for Sheffield United this season than Morgan Gibbs-White (10), while no player has more assists than Gibbs-White (7, level also with Sharp).