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

Sheffield United play host to champions Fulham on Saturday afternoon aware that three points will secure their place in the Championship playoffs.

At a time when the Blades want to extend their season, the Cottagers are competing in their final fixture before returning to the Premier League.

Match preview

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Aside from Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield Town, every club has endured a blip at some point or another since the turn of the year, and Sheffield United's put them at risk of starting the final day outside of the playoff spots.

However, on the back of a run of two wins from eight outings, the Blades have bounced back with victories over Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers, keeping their fate in their own hands.

While Sheffield United will guarantee fifth spot by defeating the champions, a draw would force Luton Town to defeat Reading to deny them a place in the top six.

Middlesbrough are also a threat, particularly with a victory for Boro and a draw for Sheffield United potentially bringing goal difference and goals scored into play, and it is something which Paul Heckingbottom must consider when facing opponents as free-scoring as Fulham.

On a positive note, Sheffield United have only suffered one home defeat since the start of November, and maintaining that run could prove pivotal in their bid to join Fulham in the top flight.

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The travelling supporters will be in a party mood in Yorkshire after witnessing their team put seven goals past Luton Town on Monday to secure the Championship title.

Marco Silva's team now have 106 strikes to their name - a remarkable 33 more than any other club - and the Portuguese will want more to be added to that against a club who may prove to be rivals next season.

Naturally, the focus of the West Londoners may not be the same as it was earlier this week, but there are players in this squad who are competing for a place next season with three defeats coming in their last six matches.

One of those is most certainly not Aleksandar Mitrovic, the Serbian taking his second-tier total to 43 goals from as many starts with a double versus the Hatters.

Fulham also have the target of trying to beat Manchester City's second-tier record of 108 goals, that total being set during the 2001-02 campaign.

Team News

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Barring any unforeseen injury issues, Heckingbottom may see little reason to make any changes to his Sheffield United XI.

Billy Sharp remains absent with a calf injury, one which could keep him out of the playoffs, and the only change may see Conor Hourihane potentially return to the midfield after his late goal versus QPR.

Silva may see the value in making a number of changes to his Fulham side with Jean Michael Seri and Neeskens Kebano most likely to return in midfield and on the flank respectively.

While Rodrigo Muniz could benefit from just a third Championship start in attack, Silva is expected to retain Mitrovic as the lone frontman.

Second-choice goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga may also be given an opportunity between the sticks.

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:

Foderingham; Basham, Egan, Robinson; Osborn, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens; Berge, Gibbs-White; Ndiaye

Fulham possible starting lineup:

Gazzaniga; Tete, Adarabioyo, Ream, Bryan; Cairney, Seri; Wilson, Carvalho, Kebano; Mitrovic

We say: Sheffield United 1-1 Fulham

While Fulham will naturally have one eye on their summer holidays and top-flight football next season, they will still want to end the season as champions should do. With that in mind and the pressure on the shoulders of their hosts, we are backing a competitive draw to play out at Bramall Lane.