Preview: Sheffield United vs. Preston North End

Cup specialists Sheffield United will be hoping to continue their progress in another competition when they take on Preston North End on Tuesday evening.

Sheffield play host to Preston at Bramall Lane just over a week after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Nigel Clough's side have become well known for their impressive performances in cup competitions, and they came close to causing another shock before eventually losing 3-2 on aggregate to a Christian Eriksen-inspired Tottenham Hotspur in the Capital One Cup semi-final.

United may have been just one moment of magic away from Wembley on that evening last week, but the famous stadium is a long way off as they prepare for a fourth-round replay in the FA Cup.

Diego De Girolamo came to the rescue in the first game with an equaliser to cancel out Paul Gallagher's opener for Preston, and it's a safe bet to expect another tight contest between the two sides.

Preston and United are separated by just two places in League One, and both are currently on course for a spot in the playoffs as they look to get back to the second tier of English football.

However, the two teams were in very different form on the weekend as United eased to a 2-0 win over Swindon Town, while Preston suffered a surprise defeat to relegation-threatened Crawley Town.

Changes are expected from both sides as they look to manage the form and fitness of their squad while juggling their commitments in the two competitions.

Jamie Murphy's reward for scoring both goals in the win over Swindon is likely to be a start on Tuesday, and there could also be recalls for Jose Baxter and Stefan Scougall.

Preston boss Simon Grayson could hand a start to Chris Humphrey in midfield, but Sylvain Ebanks-Blake and Gallagher are expected to continue their partnership in attack.

Sheffield United:

Form in FA Cup: WD Form in all competitions: WLLDDW

Possible starting lineup: Turner, Brayford, Basham, Kennedy, Freeman, Davies, Reed, Scougall, Baxter, Murphy, Adams

Preston:

Form in FA Cup: WD Form in all competitions: WDDDDL

Possible starting lineup: Johnstone, Buchanan, Clarke, Woods, Huntingdon, Brownhill, Johnson, Reid, Welsh, Ebanks-Blake, Gallagher

Sports Mole says: 2-1