Sheffeild Utd start the day in the final play off place and will be keen to avoid successive home defeats after losing to Reading in their last home game. It's no win in three for Utd as they look to keep ahead of the chasing pack.
Paul Heckingbottom, speaking on rival teams in play-off places, said: “Everyone is doing the same: winning and losing, the only thing for us is if we win our games, we are there one game at a time up against a Cardiff team who can be dangerous they are playing with a freedom. This stage of the season is really strange.”
On Cardiff, he added: “They have changed the way they play. They are still a direct threat and tough, scored the most headed goals by a long, long way. Still got that in the team but picked a lot more players with energy around that and they are trying to play a bit more football and in that respect really dangerous because they are playing with a freedom.”
Steve Morison said: “We are not on a comparison with Sheffield United - they have players on 40 grand a week! We have to concentrate on ourselves and how we are going to do it. We are wholly focused on ourselves and the best plan going forward.
“The atmosphere will be fantastic. It’s a game you should be thoroughly looking forward to. If you don’t turn up you’ll get turned over. They are a really good team and you have to enjoy that pressure. We want to win the game and I’ll go there and pick the team best suited for that game."
Match facts
- Sheffield United are looking to complete a league double over Cardiff City for the first time since the 1984-85 season.
- Cardiff City are unbeaten in six away league matches against Sheffield United (W2 D4) since a 2-1 defeat in December 2004.
- Sheffield United lost 2-1 in their last home league match against Reading; they have never lost consecutive home games under Paul Heckingbottom, who last suffered consecutive home Football League defeats in March 2018 as Leeds United manager.
- Cardiff City have lost three of their last four league games (W1), as many as in their previous 12 Championship games combined.
- Only Billy Sharp (14) has scored more Championship goals for Sheffield United this season than Morgan Gibbs-White (10), while no player has more assists than Gibbs-White (7, level also with Sharp).
Match Officials:
Referee: OLIVER LANGFORD
Assistants: Paul Hodskinson and Rob Smith
Fourth Official : Carl Boyeson