Sheffield United reamin in the relegation zone despite a convincing 2-0 victory over relegation rivals Shrewsbury Town at Bramall Lane last Saturday. First-half goals from Ryan Flynn and Stefan Scougall gave Sheffield United a 2-0 victory over fellow strugglers Shrewsbury, ending a run of four league games without a win. Following a quiet start to the match, Flynn scored after 11 minutes with a low shot from inside the area after getting on the end of a cross from Scougall. Six minutes later Scougall put the hosts further ahead when his 20-yard effort saw the ball bounce in front of Chris Weale and evade the diving goalkeeper before going inside his right-hand post.
Jose Baxter threatened again for the Blades before the break, shooting wide from inside the area. Nigel Clough's side made a lively start to the second half with Jamie Murphy putting a shot wide on the run. Shrewsbury's best chance of the match came when Paul Parry slipped the ball through to Jon Taylor who only had Mark Howard to beat, but he shot wide of the target. Tom Eaves also put a low, angled drive wide and Taylor had a header comfortably saved by Howard.
Blades boss Nigel Clough will be boosted by the return of club Captain Michael Doyle who returns after serving a three match suspension following his dismissal at home to Fulham in the FA Cup. He missed the fixtures against Crewe Alexandra (0-3), Fulham (1-0, replay) and Shrewsbury Town (2-0) during his ban. Stephen McGinn is likley to lose his place should Doyle be re-installed, however the Scottish midfielder (McGinn) is suffering from a knock and may well be rested.
Striker Chris Porter (hamstring) is doubtful whilst Florent Cuvelier (knee) is sidelined for the season. Meanwhilse youngster Diego De Girolamo is expected to be retained on the substitutes bench.
Brentford's home fixture with Crawley Town last Saturday became a victim to the bad weather which swept up and down the country. Despite this the Bees still reamin two points clear of Wolverhampton Wanderers in second. It also left their last match action a 1-1 draw at Shrewsbury Town ten days ago.
Tom Eaves grabbed a stunning last-minute equaliser as lowly Shrewsbury held League One leaders Brentford to a 1-1 draw. Shrewsbury, under caretaker manager Mike Jackson for the second time, had not scored a goal at Greenhous Meadow in more than 10 hours of football until Eaves rifled a 15-yard shot to the top corner of the net to peg back the Bees. The Londoners had led through Marcello Trotta's 68th-minute goal. The Shrews competed well in a goalless first half as they proved the equals of the Bees.
Eaves fired wide of the near post early on before Bahrudin Atajic, a striker on loan from Celtic, volleyed narrowly over from Paul Parry's left-wing cross. Brentford started to ask more questions as the contest developed and twice the dangerous Trotta was narrowly off target. Eaves thought he had scored early in the second half only for his header to be nodded off the line by Adam Forshaw. Brentford, now 18 games unbeaten, broke the deadlock in the 68th minute. Alan Judge fell under a challenge from Ryan Woods with referee Mark Heywood pointing straight to the penalty spot.
Chris Weale saved Trotta's spot-kick only for the rebound to go straight back to the Italian to score his 11th goal of the season. Shrewsbury were determined to end a run of six straight home defeats and thanks to Eaves, on loan from Bolton, they did just that.
Bees boss Mark Warburton might include James Tarkowski in his side to face Sheffield United at BramallLane tonight. He was purchased from Oldham Athletic in January with the intent to re-join the Boundary Park club on loan but this didn't materialise and due to injuries over feollow defenders; Nico Yennaris (dead leg), Harlee Dean and Tony Craig (broken hand) was kept back.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 1 Brentford 1