Charlton Athletic officially sealed promotion last Saturday with a 1-0 win at Carlisle United; Bradley Wright-Phillips goal taking the Addicks back into the Championship after a two year absence; however they haven't won the league yet as the Blades could still potentially catch them; though it looks unlikely.
The Blades travel to Milton Keynes Dons along with 5,000 traveling fans were a win is paramount in United's promotion bid before taking a look at results in S6. Sheffield Wednesday drew 1-1 at Colchester United last Saturday whilst Danny Wilson's Blades recorded a 3-1 win over relegation threatened Leyton Orient - a similar result again would suit United. The Brunton Park club themselves will be hunting for maximum points as a win could take them into the play-offs.
A win for the Blades at Stadium:MK and a defeat for the Owls would conclude in promotion for United, however a draw at Hillsborough could open up a six point gap between the two Steel City clubs in favour of the Red and White Wizards and with a far better goal difference than their city rivals would require just a point against Stevenage to clinch promotion at the first time of asking.
Sealing promotion away from home is no stranger to United; in fact they have done it now for the last four successful promotions. There last came in 2006 when a 1-0 win at Cardiff City was enough to lift them into the Premier League and again reached the top flight with a famous win at Leicester City's former Filbert Street Ground (4-2).
It marked a double promotion after sealing promotion at Wolverhampton Wanderers a year earlier; both clubs marked there return to Division Two football after a draw at Molineux; on each occassion the Blades finished runners-up in the league behind; Reading (2006), Leeds United (1990), Wolverhampton Wanderers (1989) but were Fourth Division Champions in 1982 with a win at Darlington.
2012 - the year of the Olympics could yet again be a glorious year for Sheffield United but should they not secure promotion this weekend a current four point gap would mean that the Owls cant out-jump United this weekend should the Blades lose. However they may have to win there following two fixtures against Stevenage (h) and Exeter City (a) whilst the Owls face Brentford (a) and Wycombe Wanderers (h).
Up the Blades!
Image: Dave Bassett is mobbed by fans after securi9ng promotion to top flight at Filbert Street in 1990 (copyright: Action Images)