On Monday evening, the 31st round of the EFL Championship will conclude with a meeting between Sheffield United, who were seen before the season as contenders to return to the top flight, and Middlesbrough, who are genuinely on course to achieve that aim. For the hosts it is crucial to prove that they are still capable of competing against a genuinely dangerous opponent.
Sheffield United
Although the Sheffield United board realised their mistake and brought Chris Wilder back – he was one step away from taking the team into the Premier League last season – too much had already been lost at the start of this campaign. At the moment 15th-placed side have 39 points, but even with a 100% record in the remaining rounds they will not reach their 90 points from the 2024/25 season, which were only enough for third place. That kind of surge is highly unlikely, although they have now gone four matches at Bramall Lane without dropping points.
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough, meanwhile, have not dropped points in the league for five rounds: three wins at home and two away. Thanks to this run they have moved four points clear of third place and, for the first time in many months, drawn level with leaders Coventry City. If the leaders drop points and the visitors win, they will move into outright first place. To beat them, Sheffield United need to avoid conceding – the Blades have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last four defeats.
Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough Prediction
Are Sheffield United capable of keeping a clean sheet? Although their attacking output is almost the same as Middlesbrough’s (43 goals versus 47), their defensive reliability is noticeably weaker (43 conceded compared with 29). Chris Wilder’s side won their last match against Oxford United (3:1), but they played it on 3 February – it was a rearranged fixture. This will be a disadvantage, because the visitors have been able to prepare methodically since 31 January. The Boro are unlikely to lose.
