The Blades were victorious again last Tuesday night where they beat Rochdale by two goals to one. Should United claim maximum points at Crawley tomorrow and at home to Peterborough United next Tuesday then the Blades will surely look certain to (at least) cement a top six finish.
Sheffield United tightened their grip on a League One play-off place with a 2-1 win at Rochdale. Goals either side of the break from Marc McNulty and John Brayford made it four wins from the last five games for Nigel Clough's men. Rochdale started brightly, with Peter Vincenti heading Michael Rose's free-kick over the crossbar five minutes in. But the Blades edged a tight first half when they opened the scoring after 12 minutes, Marc McNulty curling a fine finish wide of Josh Lillis in the Dale goal. Rose's deflected free-kick forced Iain Turner into his first meaningful save of the night early in the second half but Rochdale were undone by a howler from Lillis in the 62nd minute
Lillis appeared well set to collect defender Brayford's shot from distance, but he allowed the ball to squirm out of his grasp and over the line. Defender Jack O'Connell pulled one back for the home side when he headed home Ian Henderson's cross in the 75th minute but the Blades saw out the rest of the game comfortably
Blades boss Nigel Clough will be sweating on the fitness of striker Marc McNulty ahead of the trip to Crawley this weekend. The Scottish forward who has netted 11 goals this season sustained a knock in that win at Spotland and is doubtful. Fellow Scot Jason Holt (ankle) is hopeful of making the bench whilst Jose Baxter sits out his second game of a three match ban. Meanwhile striker Michael Higdon (hamstring) and midfielder Stefan Scougall (knee) both remain doubtful.
Crawley Town have become somewhat of a Jekyll and Hyde outfit recently. In their last six matches the Red Devils have lost 3 and won 3, beating Barnsley 5-1 at home having previously lost 0-5 on the same ground a week earlier to Doncaster Rovers. However they beat promotion chasing Swindon Town by two goals to one in there last outing last weekend.
Gavin Tomlin grabbed a shock late winner as relegation-threatened Crawley beat promotion contenders Swindon 2-1.Crawley, who fashioned only three shots in the entire game, had been hanging on after a 60th-minute equaliser by Andy Williams cancelled out an early strike by Anthony Wordsworth. But they went on to claim their first away victory since mid-August and complete a remarkable double over Swindon, whose promotion prospects are faltering after a fourth defeat in five matches.
Crawley stunned Swindon with a cleverly worked sixth-minute opener by Ipswich loanee Anthony Wordsworth, created by Gwion Edwards. Williams equalised on the hour from a measured pass by Jack Stephens, but Swindon were stunned two minutes from the end of normal time when Tomlin sent a rasping cross-shot into the far corner.
These days the Red Devils are managed by former Aston Villa boss John Gregory but due to illness has taken a step back and handing the reigns to former Sheffield United striker Dean Saunders. They are likely to be without Dean Leacock (groin), Conor Henderson (ankle) and Josh Simpson (hamstring) through injury but welcome back Darren Ward after he was unable to face parent club Swindon Town for whom is on loan from. However Joe Walsh is suspended and veteran keeper Brian Jensen (thumb) is back in training and may be selected.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Crawley Town1 Sheffield United 3
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