Preview: Birmingham City vs. Sheffield United - prediction, team news, lineups

Birmingham City will be looking to end their season on a high when they welcome Premier League-bound Sheffield United to St Andrew's on Monday afternoon in the Championship.

Blues are set for a stable finish in their first campaign under John Eustace, while the Blades will be thinking of games against England's elite clubs soon to come.

Match preview

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Birmingham were unable to give 5,000 travelling Bluenoses anything to cheer about last Saturday as they were beaten 2-0 away at promotion-chasing Coventry City.

Josh Eccles put the Sky Blues in front within three minutes, and Viktor Gyokeres netted a second from the spot after Jordan James was judged to have handled the ball in the penalty area.

Blues have now lost three of their last four games as their season begins to fizzle out, but supporters will just be thankful their side are not involved in a relegation battle they have become accustomed to.

Eustace's men sit 17th in the Championship standings heading into the campaign finale on Monday, with a win able to take the Second City club to as high as 15th.

Although Birmingham have not been able to achieve a top-half finish, the club's ability to avoid a scrap for survival has been a pleasant surprise for everyone associated with Blues.

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Sheffield United suffered their first defeat in five matches on Thursday night as they were bested by Neil Warnock's Huddersfield Town courtesy of a 59th-minute Danny Ward strike.

Paul Heckingbottom's side have had promotion wrapped up since the 2-0 success at home to West Bromwich Albion just under a fortnight ago, with the Blades managing to return to the Premier League at the second attempt.

Key to United's automatic promotion this term has been the goals provided by forward duo Iliman Ndiaye and Oli McBurnie, with the strikers having netted 26 Championship goals between them.

Seven of the Blades' 11 losses this season have come away from Bramall Lane - a statistic that will give Birmingham fans hope for a surprise victory to end the campaign.

With the opportunity to break the 90-point barrier with a win at St Andrew's, you imagine Sheffield United will be very keen to put on a performance for their loyal following in the Second City.

Team News

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Birmingham have a host of players who will not feature in the season finale due to injuries, including Scott Hogan (groin), John Ruddy (thigh) and Tahith Chong (knee).

Eustace has hinted at making some adjustments to the XI which has featured prominently over the past month, with the likes of Dion Sanderson and Troy Deeney possibly returning to the starting side.

Sheffield United have a pair of knocks at full-back, with Ben Osborn and Rhys Norrington-Davies both sidelined with hamstring injuries, meaning the pair will not play a part at St Andrew's.

Rhian Brewster is a long-term absentee for the Blades - the 23-year-old has not featured for Heckingbottom's side since October due to a serious hamstring issue.

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:

Etheridge; Colin, Long, Dean, Trusty; Bielik, James; Graham, Bellingham, Khadra; Jutkiewicz

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:

Foderingham; Egan, Basham, Robinson; Baldock, Berge, Norwood, Lowe; McAtee, Ndiaye, Jebbison

We say: Birmingham City 2-2 Sheffield United

Birmingham have made it through another season without relegation to League One - St Andrew's is likely to be in a celebratory and optimistic mood ahead of a planned summer takeover of the club.

Sheffield United have been involved in entertaining clashes since their top-two berth was confirmed, and we are expecting a four-goal thriller on Monday to finish off the Championship campaign.

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