Sheffield United remain four points behind the play-off pack after losing last Saturday's fixture at Rochdale by two goals to nil despite have the better of the chances in the first half. As a result the Blades slipped down to tenth in League One and now face a battle with; Barnsley, Southend United and Bradford City for sixth spot which is currently held by Coventry City. Top of the table Burton Albion drew 0-0 at Walsall but the Brewers are better off by two points against second placed Wigan Athletic .
Substitutes Grant Holt and Peter Vincenti came off the bench to inspire a 2-0 Rochdale victory over Sheffield United at Spotland. The Blades dominated the first half and were unfortunate to go in on level terms at the break. Martyn Woolford's cross was volleyed towards the roof of the net by Florent Cuvelier and Josh Lillis pulled off a tremendous save seven minutes in, pushing the ball over the top of the goal. From the resulting corner Dale midfielder Matt Lund headed against his own post.
Lillis saved Dale again in the 16th minute when he tipped Che Adams' effort over the crossbar and - towards the end of the half - the goalkeeper frustrated Adams again when a wayward pass from Jim McNulty presented the Blades striker with an opening.
Rochdale improved after the interval as boss Keith Hill introduced Holt and Vincenti and, while Lillis still had to be at his best to deny Billy Sharp and Adams again, the home side took the lead in the 67th minute. Holt's clever flick found Vincenti and he curled a fine finish wide of George Long in the United goal. And Dale doubled their advantage in the 81st minute when Holt swept Michael Rose's corner into the roof of the net.
Sheffield United will be without midfielder Martyn Woolford for their home game against Burton. Woolford was forced out of Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Rochdale due to a leg injury and is expected to miss out so Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Paul Coutts and Stefan Scougall will be pushing for a recall.
Fellow midfielder Florent Cuvelier, who made his first start since December 2014 at the weekend following knee ligament and hamstring injuries, was replaced by Coutts after sustaining a knock and will be assessed. Another midfielder, Dean Hammond, completes a two-match ban and is unavailable as the Blades chase only their third win in eight league games.
Burton boss Nigel Clough will check on the fitness of Mark Duffy before deciding what team he will go with against his former club. Clough, manager at Bramall Lane between October 2013 and May 2015, was without Duffy for the goalless home draw with Walsall on Saturday but he hopes the winger will recover from his ankle injury in time for Tuesday night.
On-loan Leicester midfielder Hamza Choudhury will probably feature on the bench again. The versatile Darius Charles is nearing a return to full fitness having not played yet this season due to suffering a broken leg at previous club Stevenage.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 1 Burton Albion 1
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