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

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

Sheffield United will be targeting a fifth successive victory when they host fellow Yorkshire outfit Hull City on Wednesday night.

The Blades' recent form has seen them rise to 11th in the Championship table, while the Tigers are 19th – four points above the relegation zone.

Match preview

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After Sheffield United sacked Slavisa Jokanovic despite beating Reading 1-0, Paul Heckingbottom has won his first three matches in charge.

Iliman Ndiaye's third-minute goal proved decisive in a 1-0 win away at league leaders Fulham last time out, before the Blades' Boxing Day clash against Preston North End was postponed.

Heckingbottom's side are now only four points off the playoff positions with two games in hand over sixth-place Huddersfield Town.

Goals from Billy Sharp and John Egan helped Sheffield United beat Hull 3-1 earlier in the season in what was their third successive victory over the Tigers.

However, only three Championship clubs have picked up fewer points on home turf this season than the Blades (14).

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Hull's Boxing Day fixture against Blackburn Rovers was called off just two hours before kickoff due to positive COVID-19 cases in Grant McCann's squad; the manager himself also tested positive.

Following four successive victories, the Tigers are now winless in their last three and lost for the first time in seven matches against Nottingham Forest last time out.

Keane Lewis-Potter gave Hull the lead just before half time at the City Ground, but they conceded twice after the break despite McCann praising his side for an "outstanding second half".

Only Derby County and Barnsley have netted fewer goals in the Championship than the Tigers' 20 this season, but they have not failed to score in a game since the start of November.

Team News

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Sheffield United should have Oli McBurnie and David McGoldrick available again after the attacking pair missed the win over Fulham due to COVID-related issues.

Ben Davies was absent in West London because of 'personal reasons' and could also return, but may only start on the bench after the Blades kept a clean sheet against the Cottagers.

Morgan Gibbs-White was forced off at half time against Fulham with a knee issue and will be assessed ahead of this fixture.

Hull's squad is likely to be depleted due to COVID-19 issues that led to their Boxing Day fixture being postponed.

Josh Emmanuel has missed the last six matches through injury and is expected to be absent once again at Bramall Lane.

Speculation is increasing about Keane Lewis-Potter's future, meanwhile, with the transfer window opening later this week.

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Foderingham; Basham, Egan, Robinson; Bogle, Norwood, Hourihane, Stevens; McGoldrick; Ndiaye, Sharp

Hull City possible starting lineup:
Baxter; Bernard, McLoughlin, Greaves; Longman, Docherty, Smallwood, Lewis-Potter; Honeyman; Wilks, Magennis

We say: Sheffield United 3-0 Hull City

With Sheffield United growing in confidence by the game and Hull likely to be missing multiple players through COVID-19, this could end up being a slight mismatch and a comfortable victory for the Blades.

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