Having lost by three goals to one at Coventry City seven days ago the defeat put the Blades out of the running to snatch a late play-off place ahead of neighbours Barnsley. But with nothing left to play for this game against Scunthorpe has become nothing but a fixture filler to end the 2015/16 season in disappointment for Blades fans around the globe.
As far as a finishing position goes, the Blades could end the season in 9th place (currently 10th) should they win but also finish as low as 12th should they suffer defeat or a draw. Should they finish 12th then this will be the Blades lowest finishing position since finishing 11th in the former Third Division during the 1982/83 season, prior to that was the previous season where they were Champions of Division Four.
Marc-Antoine Fortune's fortuitous goal helped Coventry end their home campaign with a 3-1 win over Sheffield United. The big striker set the Sky Blues on their way in only the fourth minute - but he knew precious little about it. Adam Armstrong made yards into the Sheffield half but when he let fly, the ball hit Fortune on his backside and deflected in past George Long.
There was nothing lucky about Coventry's second just three minutes later. Youngster George Thomas played a superbly threaded pass through to Andy Rose who lifted it into the net. United, who had started the day with an outside chance of a play-off place, seemed to know that had all but disappeared and made little impression. Things livened up in the 58th minute when Aaron Martin tripped Billy Sharp, who duly converted the penalty, but sub Ruben Lameiras made certain for the home side three minutes from time.
Sheffield United boss Nigel Adkins has no new problems for visit of Scunthorpe Sheffield United manager Nigel Adkins has no new problems to contend with ahead of the Blades' final game of the season against his former club Scunthorpe.
Adkins has a handful of players nursing minor knocks but nothing that should affect his team selection on Sunday, when the Iron will be hoping to gate-crash the play-offs. "Going into the final game of the season you're going to have one or two niggles but everyone wants to put themselves forward and it's a game we're looking forward to and a game we all know the importance of from Scunthorpe's point of view, Barnsley's point of view, Gillingham's point of view and more importantly from our own point of view," said Adkins.
The absence of Dean Hammond at Coventry last weekend brought a first change to the Blades starting line-up for six matches as Ben Whiteman came in. The teenager was one of seven academy players in the squad against the Sky Blues and many of the youngsters are likely to be included again on Sunday.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 1 Scunthorpe United 1
