Stoke City vs Sheffield United Predictions

• Sheffield United are guaranteed to finish third.
• A win would ensure Stoke cannot be relegated.
• Stoke are unbeaten in five at home (W3, D2).

Time to refocus for Blades

Sheffield United know they will have to come through the play-offs if they are to secure a return to the Premier League after defeat to Burnley on Easter Monday.

The Blades spent much of the season fighting for the title but with two games to go they are now guaranteed to finish third after hitting a rough patch at the worst possible point.

Stoke are four points clear of danger with two games remaining and may have already done enough to avoid the drop, but three points on Friday would mathematically seal their spot in the Championship for next season.

At any other point in the season an away win would look the best play in this fixture but taking circumstances into account a win for Stoke is the best option.

Sheffield United have nothing to play for in their final two games and boss Chris Wilder may use this opportunity to rest a few key men before the play-offs begin.

The Potters know a win would ensure their survival and they have been in decent form at home over the last few weeks with three wins and two draws in their last five games. The Potters can make the most of home advantage and the fact this fixture is a dead-rubber for the visitors.

Stoke were thumped 6-0 by Leeds at Elland Road in their last game and a nervy home win seems more likely than a romp to victory for the Potters. Sheffield United have lost their last three away and all of those defeats have been by one-goal margins, so correct score backers should consider a 1-0 win for the hosts as Stoke have scored just 45 goals in their 44 games this season in the league.