Bristol City vs. Sheffield United: Championship Play-off Predictions

Bristol City and Sheffield United will play at Ashton Gate on Thursday night in the opening leg of the Championship playoff semi-final. Both teams aim to advance to the Premier League.

The Blades are seeking a second promotion in as many seasons, while the Robins are making their first appearance in this season stage in 17 years.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

After nearly a decade of being stuck in mid-table, Bristol City has finally clinched a playoff spot and is just three games from Premier League football.

The Robins enter the first leg winless in their last three Championship matches. Last weekend, they rallied from 2-0 down against relegation-threatened Preston North End, with Ross McCrorie's brace sealing a crucial point to secure sixth place — just two points clear of Millwall and Blackburn in the top-eight race.

Bristol City will be keen to extend their unbeaten run at Ashton Gate, having last lost there in early February.

Despite finishing 22 points ahead, Sheffield United begin level with their hosts in the playoff semi-finals. The Blades fell short of automatic promotion after a seven-game winless run, ending third behind Leeds and Burnley. Their away form, however, was among the league's best, earning 43 points on the road.

While January signings Tom Cannon and Ben Brereton Diaz have struggled to impress, Tyrese Campbell and Gustavo Hamer continue to deliver for Chris Wilder's side, making them a serious promotion threat.

Bristol City x Sheffield United Team News 

Bristol City will be without defender Luke McNally, who is hurting his knee badly, until the end of October.

Cameron Pring, a 27-year-old for the Robins, had a hamstring injury in March, further limiting their defensive options.

Mark Sykes (hip) hopes to play for the first team again this month, while Ayman Benarous (knee) will be out for quite some time for the hosts.

Sheffield United, vying for a spot in the Premier League, will be without teenager Ollie Arblaster, who suffered a terrible knee injury in November.

With Welshman Rhys Norrington-Davies out with a groin injury since the new year, the Blades are also shorthanded at centre-back.

Our Predictions

Bristol City to win @ 2.75 on Sky247.ng

Bristol City, who haven't lost at Ashton Gate since early February, will need to use home field advantage to advance to the Wembley final later this month.

Although the Blades will stay well involved in the affair heading into Monday's second leg at Bramall Lane, Sheffield United may falter in the West Country after stumbling into the playoffs.

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