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

Since this article was published, this game has been called off due to a coronavirus outbreak in the Sheffield United squad. A new date for the game will be confirmed in due course.

Chris Wilder returns to Bramall Lane on New Year's Day with his Middlesbrough side looking to keep up the pressure on the Championship pacesetters.

While Boro currently sit comfortably in the playoffs, Sheffield United are down in the mid-table positions, albeit with three games in hand on their next opponents.

Match preview

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Having scored just 10 goals during Wilder's eight opening matches, Boro can only be described as efficient as they bid to become major players in the promotion race.

However, all Wilder will care about is points on the board, and only Blackburn Rovers have claimed more than the North-East outfit since his appointment on November 7.

As many as 17 points have been recorded during that run, Boro's fifth win coming on Wednesday evening as they recorded a last-gasp 2-1 victory at Blackpool.

Andraz Sporar chipped in with a goal for the third successive match before Duncan Watmore ended a four-game drought with a strike in the 93rd minute.

Although Wilder will insist that Boro remain outsiders given the games in hand of the teams around them, there can be no doubting that Boro are a live threat for the title, particularly with the top two struggling for consistency.

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Even while they spend time down the standings, Sheffield United cannot be completely ruled out of the race for the top two after a strong start under Paul Heckingbottom.

Despite his appointment at the back end of November, the Blades have played just three times, but excellent wins have been recorded over Bristol City, Cardiff City and Fulham.

Each success was impressive in its own way, the 1-0 triumph at previous leaders Fulham coming on the back of a 16-day break after their comeback triumph in Wales.

Iliman Ndiaye got the decisive goal on that occasion, ending a three-month wait for another contribution in the final third, and the Frenchman will now be expected to consistently complement the efforts of fellow playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White.

Although Sheffield United currently sit well off the pace, they are just seven points behind their next opponents with three games in hand.

Team News

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Having missed the game at Fulham due to personal reasons, Ben Davies will hope to replace Jack Robinson in the Sheffield United defence.

Gibbs-White will have to shake off a knee issue to feature in this game, but the Blades are boosted by the returns of David McGoldrick and Oli McBurnie.

While Wilder opted to rest Neil Taylor in midweek, the left wing-back should return to the side in place of Lee Peltier.

Jonny Howson will be assessed after also missing the trip to Blackpool, with Sol Bamba likely to deputise again if the midfielder remains unavailable.

Watmore is also expected to be handed a recall in place of Onel Hernandez.

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:

Foderingham; Basham, Egan, Davies; Bogle, Norwood, Hourihane, Stevens; McGoldrick, N'Diaye; Sharp

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:

Lumley; Dijksteel, Bamba, Fry; Jones, Crooks, McNair, Tavernier, Taylor; Watmore, Sporar

We say: Sheffield United 1-1 Middlesbrough

Momentum is sometimes everything in the Championship, and Wilder will be confident of claiming another three points at his former club. However, we should not discount the Blades from this contest, and a thoroughly-competitive game could lead to a share of the spoils.