Play-Off favourites Sheffield can take an advantage back to Bramall Lane with a win here tonight.
20:00 Thursday
The first Championship playoff semi-final takes place tonight as Bristol City welcome Sheffield United to Ashton Gate.
Bristol City vs Sheffield United Prediction
- Bristol City rolled into the playoffs in underwhelming fashion following a 2-2 draw with a relegation-threatened Preston side on the final day.
- Liam Manning's men were mid-table heading into the New Year, but have been impressive in the second half of the season en-route to their first top-six finish at Championship level in over a decade.
- With no win in their last three, the Robins will look to keep this game low-margin and take the tie to Bramall Lane in the second leg.
- Sheffield United spent the majority of the 2024/25 campaign fighting for automatic promotion, but ended the regular season 10 points behind second-placed Burnley.
- With one defeat in their previous four, the Blades head into the playoff campaign as the bookmakers' favourites, although they have suffered three defeats in their last four on the road ahead of Thursday's trip to Ashton Gate.
Score Prediction: Bristol City 0-1 Sheffield United
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Bristol City vs Sheffield United Lineups
Bristol City Predicted Lineup vs Sheffield United
O'Leary, Vyner, Dickie, Tanner, McCrorie, Knight, Williams, Hirakawa, Twine, Bird, Wells
Sheffield United Predicted Lineup vs Bristol City
Cooper, Burrows, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Choudhury, Hamer, Peck, Souza, Brereton, O'Hare, Campbell
Bristol City vs Sheffield United Team News
- Liam Manning has confirmed that Cameron Pring has a 'slight chance' of making it back to fitness in time to face Sheffield United. Luke McNally and Mark Sykes are out with long-term injuries and will play no part in the playoff campaign.
- The biggest area of contention for Bristol City is the attacking midfield area, with Scott Twine, George Earthy, and Anis Mehmeti all competing for spots in the starting XI.
- Goalkeeper Michael Cooper was not in the squad to face Blackburn on the final after Chris Wilder rested him, ensuring he is fresh to face Bristol City.
- Hamza Choudhury should get the nod at right-back in the first leg, while Ben Brereton, Callum O'Hare and Tyrese Campbell may also feature at Ashton Gate.
- Right-back Femi Seriki suffered a dislocated shoulder against Blackburn and is set to miss the first leg of this play-off semi-final.
Bristol City vs Sheffield United Odds
| Result | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol City | 23/10 | 30% |
| Draw | 2/1 | 33% |
| Sheffield United | 8/5 | 38% |
Bristol City vs Sheffield United Bet Builder Tips
Our Bet Builder tips for Bristol vs Sheffield features Under 2.5 Goals, Gustavo Hamer Over 0.5 Shots on Target & Ross McCrorie to be Carded.
At the time of publishing it is a best price of 14/1 with BetMGM.
- Five of the last six matches between Bristol City and Sheffield United have produced under 2.5 goals, reflecting their defensive solidity and low-scoring encounters. Their November clash ended 2-1, but play-off nerves often reduce goal totals.
- Sheffield United’s Gustavo Hamer, the Championship Player of the Season, is a key attacking threat, averaging 0.78 shots on target per 90. He’s had 1+ shots on target in two of his last three matches. With Sheffield expected to dominate possesion he should be able to find chances to cut inside and shoot.
- Play-off games are often fiesty affairs and Sheffield are among one of the world disciplined sides. Bristol are one of the least, however of their 77 yellows this season Ross McCrorie has eight of them and if anyone is to engage with this aggressive Sheffield side it will be him. He is averaging 0.61 cards per 90 minutes and two fouls per 90. Up against Sheffield's tricky wingers he should find himself in plenty of situations to get carded.
