Chris Wilder Bangs “Unpredictability” Drum Once More as Sheffield United Host Bristol City | OneFootball

Sheffield United return to Bramall Lane on Tuesday evening looking to secure consecutive home victories as they host Bristol City.

The Blades, led by Chris Wilder, continued their strong form at the weekend, edging past Preston North End 1-0 thanks to yet another crucial goal from Tyrese Campbell. With six wins in their last seven matches, United are firmly in the hunt at the top of the Championship table. Even a draw could see them leapfrog into first place, highlighting the importance of this fixture.

While United are fighting for promotion, Bristol City arrive in fine form themselves. Liam Manning’s side are unbeaten in their last five matches, most recently drawing 1-1 at home against ten-man Hull City. The Robins are within touching distance of the play-off spots, sitting just two points behind sixth-placed West Bromwich Albion and three behind Coventry City in fifth. With the race for the play-offs heating up, Bristol City will be desperate to take something from Bramall Lane.

Wilder confirmed that both Alfie Gilchrist and Harry Clarke have returned from their parent clubs after treatment but will miss the Bristol City clash. The right-back duo are being assessed ahead of the Sheffield Wednesday game.

Tom Davies is also out until after the international break, while Oliver Arblaster and Rhys Norrington-Davies are sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Gustavo Hamer and Vinicius Souza, two of United’s key midfielders, picked up minor injuries in the win over Preston. While neither are ruled out, Wilder may opt to rest them with the season reaching a critical stage, and of course the matter of a Steel City derby at the weekend.

Statistically, these two sides have performed at a similar level throughout the season. Sheffield United have averaged 1.34 expected goals per game, while Bristol City are close behind at 1.32. Defensively, both teams have also been solid, with the Blades conceding an xG of 1.01 per game and Bristol City allowing just 1.12, per Opta.

Recent history suggests this will be a closely fought contest. In their last ten meetings dating back to 2017, nine have either ended in a draw or been decided by a single goal. United edged out Bristol City earlier in the season with a dramatic late winner coming from Harrison Burrows after super sub Ryan Oné inspired the comeback.

Chris Wilder Bangs “Unpredictability” Drum Once More as Sheffield United Host Bristol City

BRISTOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 05: Harrison Burrows of Sheffield United scores the team’s second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Bristol City FC and Sheffield United FC at Ashton Gate on November 05, 2024 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Speaking to SUTV ahead of the game, Wilder stressed the unpredictability of the Championship and the importance of staying focused on their own performances after league leaders Leeds United fell to a defeat against Portsmouth last weekend.

“This is how it’s going to be right the way through [to the end of the season]. It is an accumulation of points. We’re not taking our eye off our job,” Wilder said. “There’s no gimmies, there’s no easy games in this division. This is the unpredictability of the Championship.”

Wilder also acknowledged that Sheffield United might not be getting enough credit from neutrals and pundits despite their strong form, as well as the adversity faced, before the season even began, with a two-point deduction. Wilder said: “I’ve just got to go on what we’ve done on the pitch, which has been outstanding. It is what it is, and we’ve just had to deal with it since the first game of the season.”

One subplot to keep an eye on is Anel Ahmedhodzic’s disciplinary situation. The defender is currently on nine yellow cards, and with Tuesday marking the cut-off for two-game bans due to ten bookings, he will need to avoid another caution.

“He managed to come through [the Preston game] when he had to deal with duels, winning headers and tackles,” Wilder said. “I thought Anel and Jack [Robinson] were outstanding on Saturday because it was a physical game.”

Blades Must Keep Focus on “Outstanding” Bristol City Despite Steel City Derby on the Horizon

Supporters quite naturally have their eyes on Sunday afternoon’s kick-off against Sheffield Wednesday, but the coaching staff and players can’t afford to take their eyes off of Tuesday’s opponents.

Wilder exclaimed: “When the fixtures come out, you just have to deal with it. Whether it’s a local derby, whether it’s a team that is going well against Bristol City, whatever it is you have to deal with the fixture list. You have to deal with the hurdles that you have to get over. It’s all part and parcel. That’s why I have said all along – I’m delighted with the position that we are in. If it was as easy as people make it out to be then why aren’t everybody else at the top of the division winning games of football. It isn’t [like that], because of how difficult it is. And the challenges that this division poses, and everybody [outside the Premier League] talks about [the championship] in football.”

Despite United’s strong form, the Blades’ boss knows the Robins will be no walkover. He said: “They’re in a good position. The young players that Liam [Manning] is working with, the players they’ve got, and the outstanding season they’ve had. And they’ll want to keep that going, they’ll have their fight and their target, which obviously is to get into the playoffs. And we’ve got our own fight. It’s a big game looming and hopefully we can produce another big performance.”