Sheffield United vs Coventry City – Preview | OneFootball

Sheffield United will host the most in-form team in the Championship, Coventry City, on Friday night. With the Blades getting their weekend started early they have a great chance to go top of the league and put the pressure on both Leeds United and Burnley.

Before the international break, Chris Wilder’s Blades went four games unbeaten in response to their 3-1 defeat against Leeds. Rhian Brewster ensured United would take the bragging rights in the Steel City derby as he scored the only goal of the game at Sheffield Wednesday.

The game prior to this clash was far from good however; United were largely second-best at home against Bristol City and would concede in the dying minutes of normal time to drop two points. At this stage of the campaign with only eight games to go, any dropped points could prove very costly in the race for promotion.

Coventry City meanwhile have won ten Championship matches in their last 12, and after underperforming their expected points for most of the season, they are now back on track and look good value for a play-off spot. The Sky Blues could have a huge say in the race for the top two as well; they play the Blades and Burnley back-to-back.

Team News

The Blades will not have Tom Davies and Harry Clarke to choose from at least for a week, with the duo still not 100%. On the plus side, Wilder revealed in his press conference that Vinicius Souza, Jamie Shackleton and Alfie Gilchrist are all fit again ahead of Friday evening.

Frank Lampard could be without Coventry’s top assistor for the season, Jack Rudoni (10 assists), who has missed the last few games due to a dislocated shoulder. It does seem likely that the Sky Blues will have midfielder Sheaf back as well as attacker Brandon Thomas-Asante, though Thomas-Asante has been more or less a substitute option this season.

Sheffield United’s Impact Player For This Game

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 10: Vinicius Souza and Gustavo Hamer of Sheffield United celebrate after the team’s victory in the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United FC and Sheffield Wednesday FC at Bramall Lane on November 10, 2024 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images)

Gustavo Hamer could very well be the one to pick apart his former club at Bramall Lane, and the Coventry fans won’t need reminding about his supreme qualities at this level.

The attack-minded midfielder, who’s played more as an inverted left-winger this season, registered an assist in the reverse fixture before getting subbed off with an injury.

Hamer has seven goals and five assists in 29 starts in the league this term, and those numbers could look a lot better if it wasn’t for suspension issues and lingering injuries.

In spite of that, Hamer’s presence in United’s starting eleven makes the team tick, and at times, it’s fair to say only he and Tyrese Campbell have been the bright sparks in attack in recent months.

The Dutchman averages over four shot-creating actions per 90 and over six progressive passes per 90, ranking him in the 91st and 99th percentile respectively compared to every other attacking midfielder or winger in the Championship.

Coventry City’s Impact Player For This Game

COVENTRY, ENGLAND – MARCH 15: Haji Wright of Coventry City holds off the challenge of Jobe Bellingham of Sunderland during the Sky Bet Championship match between Coventry City FC and Sunderland AFC at The Coventry Building Society Arena on March 15, 2025 in Coventry, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Coventry are one of the best teams in the division, this was even before Frank Lampard took over. Perhaps, for whatever reason, the squad just became stale under the leadership of Mark Robins, and this eventually led to his dismissal. One player that has continued his electrifying form from one coach to another is Haji Wright.

Unfortunately, the American international has dealt with his injury problems this term, nevertheless, he still has reached ten goals in just 19 Championship appearances, and he heads to Bramall Lane after scoring a hat-trick last time out against Sunderland before the international break.

Scout around the Championship and you won’t find many players that can match Wright’s electric pace and power. He is a versatile player too because he can play down the middle or play on the left, but when he plays down the middle his movement often sees him spin into the channels anyway.

Over the last 365 days, Wright has been one of the very best attackers that the Championship has to offer. In that duration, he ranks in the 86th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90, he ranks in the 90th percentile for goals per shot, which essentially means he hits the back of the net almost every time he pulls the trigger. Additionally, he ranks in the 86th percentile for progressive carries per 90, and the top percentile for aerial duels won.

The statistics back up the eye test; he is a very well-rounded forward that can impact the game in many ways.

My Prediction

Nobody needs telling that this will be one of the most difficult games remaining on United’s fixture list.

Coventry City have ranked in the top four all season in terms of expected points, but, for most of the campaign they’ve massively underperformed. Now though, they look right on track to make the play-offs. According to Opta’s expected table, Coventry should be sitting in second place, with the Blades sat in fourth on this table.

One of the main differences between United and Coventry is the conversion rate from a defensive point of view. United have allowed the second lowest conversion rate in the Championship (6%), with only Burnley bettering this (3%). In contrast, the Sky Blues have allowed a conversion rate of 11% which is bang average, however, it shows that their defence is letting down their attack.

On that note, I think Sheffield United can get it done as their defence is a lot more trustworthy and far less leaky. The Blades will win this 2-1.

All stats taken from FBref or Opta.