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

Championship playoff hopefuls Sheffield United travel to a Coventry City side who are rapidly losing ground on the top six.

The Blades are currently fifth in the table, while the Sky Blues are 11th and six points behind the playoff positions.

Match preview

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Sheffield United made a statement of intent in the playoff race on Tuesday night as they triumphed 4-1 over rivals Middlesbrough.

Sander Berge, Billy Sharp, Jack Robinson and Morgan Gibbs-White all found the scoresheet as the Blades won for the first time in three matches and moved into the top six.

The Yorkshire outfit have lost just twice in 16 league matches under Paul Heckingbottom and no team in the Championship has picked up more points than Sheffield United (34) since he was appointed on November 25.

Only Bournemouth and Fulham have won more games away from home than the Blades in the second tier this season.

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Coventry also played a playoff rival on Tuesday night but suffered defeat as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Luton Town.

Mark Robins claimed afterwards that he believed his side deserved to win the game as they had "outplayed" the Hatters.

Nonetheless, following defeat to Swansea City last weekend, the Sky Blues have now lost back-to-back matches for the first time this season. They have not lost three league games in a row since December 2018.

The Midlands side have recorded just one win in their previous six meetings against Sheffield United; the reverse fixture earlier this season ended goalless.

Team News

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Callum O'Hare is in contention to be restored to the Coventry starting lineup after only being fit enough to come off the bench against Luton on Tuesday following a leg injury.

Centre-back Dominic Hyam has missed the last two matches due to concussion, but it is hoped that he will be able to return this weekend.

Robins has revealed that Jake Bidwell will be out for six weeks after scans showed he has sustained a hip problem, but fellow full-back Fankaty Dabo is available after serving a two-game suspension.

John Fleck was forced off injured in Sheffield United's win over Middlesbrough in midweek, but Paul Heckingbottom said that the midfielder would be out for "days, rather than weeks".

Charlie Goode is available again after a three-match suspension, but is a doubt due to a cartilage issue.

Ben Osborn is likely to fill in at right wing-back again in the absence of injured pair George Baldock and Jayden Bogle.

Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Moore; McFadzean, Clarke-Salter, Hyam; Kane, Sheaf, Hamer, Maatsen; O'Hare; Gyokeres, Godden

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Foderingham; Robinson, Egan, Davies; Osborn, Hourihane, Norwood, Norrington-Davies; Berge, Gibbs-White; Sharp

We say: Coventry City 0-1 Sheffield United

Coventry appear to be simply running out of steam as we get into the business end of the season and we think that they will find it difficult against a Sheffield United side full of confidence following their midweek win. It should be a tight game, but one which we think the visitors will just edge.

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