Sheffield United vs. Bradford City

Last updated : 17 April 2015 By @blades_mad1889

The Blades crashed to a 1-0 defeat at already relegated Yeovil Town last Tuesday night where even a point would have edged them into a 9 point lead over 7th placed Rochdale who have a game in hand.

Sheffield United remain on course for the play-offs despite slipping up 1-0 away to relegated Yeovil. A Stephen Arthurworrey goal in the 67th minute proved the difference between the two teams as the Glovers recorded only their ninth win of the season, and the first under new manager Paul Sturrock. It took until the 45th minute for the game's first shot on target when United substitute Jamie Murphy found the gloves of home goalkeeper Artur Krysiak.

Yeovil, whose successive relegations were confirmed at the weekend, were hard-working if not creative, but were happy to watch a number of Blades' efforts sail harmlessly over. Kieffer Moore came close for the hosts with a looping header in the 65th minute which fell just wide after Paul Coutts had come close for Sheffield United. The breakthrough came shortly afterwards when Arthurworrey's challenge on keeper Mark Howard helped in Byron Webster's flick-on from Sam Foley's free-kick.

United almost drew level in the 81st minute when Murphy chipped the ball past Krysiak, only for Arthurworrey to earn his bread at the other end of the pitch by hooking the ball away from the line. Despite the setback in Somerset United remain fifth in the table and with an eight-point cushion between themselves and seventh-placed Rochdale.

Blades boss Nigel Clough, who manages United for his 100th fixture will be without Steve Davies (foot) and Ryan Flynn (hamstring) for the visit of the Bantams. However Jamie Murphy (groin) could return to the starting line-up. 

Bradford City cannot be blamed for having more of an eye on the FA Cup than League One football. They came within a whisker away of repeating the triumphs earned by United last season but a replay at Reading saw the Bantams slip to a 3-0 defeat in the Quarter-Finals. In the League City lay 11th in the table and 10 points behind the play-offs and with 4 games remaining stand a mathematical chance but realistically after losing 6-0 at hom eto Bristol city in their previous fixture are out of it.

Leaders Bristol City made sure of promotion from League One with a 6-0 rout of Bradford City at Valley Parade - a result which extends their unbeaten run to 12 matches and returns them to the Championship after a two-year absence. The visitors went in front after 17 minutes through Bradford-born defender James Tavernier. The Wigan loanee saw his first shot cleared off the line by Bradford captain Stephen Darby with keeper Ben Williams beaten and reacted quickly to fire home from the rebound.

The home defence struggled to cope with the fast-moving visitors and the Robins doubled their lead after 35 minutes when Luke Freeman crossed from the by-line and Joe Bryan out jumped Darby to head the ball into the net off the inside of the post. Luke Ayling added a third in the 54th minute with a 25-yard shot past the diving Williams and tall defender Aden Flint scored a fourth after 66 minutes with a powerful header from Marlon Pack's free-kick.

Tavernier scored his side's fifth - and his second of the match - in the 73rd minute. Bryan pulled the ball back from the by-line and Tavernier scored from the rebound after Keran Agard's shot was cleared off the line by Meredith. Skipper Aaron Wilbraham put the icing on the cake after 79 minutes with a low shot from just inside the box after taking advantage of a mistake from Meredith.

Bantams boss Phil Parkinson is likely to ring in the changes following their 6-0 defeat with the inclusion of former Blades striker Jon Stead, Christopher Routis and Andy Halliday. 

Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 2 Bradford City 1