Match Preview: Portsmouth vs. Sheffield United

Last updated : 04 March 2011 By @blades_mad1889

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The Blades are in a real relegation mess and face the prospect of League One football next season after a 1-0 home defeat to Derby County last Saturday.  Theo Robinson (27 minutes) netted the game’s only goal but United had a number of opportunities but Frank Fielding in the Rams goal was equal to it.

United won this corresponding fixture earlier in the season when a Ched Evans free-kick was enough to ensure a 1-0 win at Bramall Lane and another victory at Fratton Park would complete the double over Pompey.

Blades boss Micky is without a number of players; Joe Mattock (knee), Ryan France (back), Richard Wright (thigh), Darius Henderson (hamstring) and Andy Taylor (leg) are all missing through injury.

Defender Shane Lowry was expected to return to the squad after completing a one match ban - however the FA has slapped on an extra match ban and will now return when the Blades face Nottingham Forest next Tuesday night at Bramall Lane.

Expected Eleven: Simonsen, Parrino, Ertl, Collins, Lowton, Yeates, Doyle, Williamson, Riise, Bogdanovic, Evans.

Portsmouth handed the Blades a small favour when, in midweek they completed a 2-0 win over relegation threatened Scunthorpe United at Fratton Park.

Their win over the Iron was their fifth consecutive Championship, scoring eight goals in the process and keeping a clean sheet in each fixture.

They will be without former Sheffield United striker Danny Webber (crucial injury), though Ritchie de Laet, Greg Halford and David Cotterill are likely to start against their former club.

The Chimes will check on the fitness of Liam Lawrence (calf), Joel Ward (calf) and Hayden Mullins (knee) as they battle to be fit ahead of the game Against the Blades.

Expected Eleven: Ashdown, de Laet, Halford, Rocha, Hreidarsson, Mokoena, Hogg, Cotterill, Kanu, Nugent, Kitson