Sheffield United should see off Rotherham to hit Championship summit

Attack-minded Blades can cut loose

Sheffield United keeper Dean HendersonCredit: Luke Walker

Sky Bet Championship
Sky Sports Football & Main Event, 12.30pm Saturday

It may not be for long but Sheffield United can jump back to the top of the Sky Bet Championship with a win in the live lunchtime clash at Rotherham.

United's promotion bid has stalled in recent weeks with one win in five but they had been on a tough run of matches with away trips to Derby and Nottingham Forest as well as home clashes with Stoke, Wigan and Sheffield Wednesday.

The Stoke and Wednesday draws could quite easily have been victories and boss Chris Wilder should not be overly concerned.

They had won four on the spin prior to this quieter spell and the Blades are a well-balanced outfit in a mainly attack-minded 3-5-2, a formation a lot of opposition teams struggle to cope with.

Billy Sharp is living up to his name with ten Championship goals, only four fewer than Rotherham have managed.

The Merry Millers have still been able to grind out results, going five matches unbeaten, but they needed a man-of-the-match performance from goalkeeper Marek Rodak to grab a point in a 1-1 draw at Blackburn last week.

Rodak was forced into nine saves, while Rotherham scored with their only attempt on target from Michael Smith and a goal difference of minus nine should concern Paul Warne.

They also looked set for a loss to Swansea in the 2-1 win in the previous game until two late Ryan Manning penalties overturned a deficit with 11 minutes remaining.

Recommendation
Sheffield Utd
1pt 3-4 bet365, Betfred

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Rotherham
Will Vaulks returns from suspension. Sean Raggett is closing on a return but Darren Potter is suspended.

Sheffield Utd
John Egan is fit so Chris Wilder has a full squad to select from.

Key stat
Rotherham have won one of the last 11 meetings with Sheffield United.