By George Rogan
Leon Clarke is hoping to carry his impressive scoring outburst into Friday’s match against the worst defence in the Championship. Sheffield United travel to the Pirelli Stadium against the strugglers Burton Albion knowing a win will put them top of the league.
The Blades currently sit second in the table and are aiming extend their impressive form of six wins out of their last eight. Last time out they beat Hull City 4-1 with top scorer Leon Clarke amazingly scoring all four in the second half as they came from behind to win.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v04nvxPiCZo
Meanwhile, Burton have had a torrid season so far and are just a point above the relegation zone. The Brewers hapless defending has conceded 31 goals. Couple that with a stagnate offense which is the league’s second lowest scorers with 10 and it has been a run to forget. A win away at Millwall in their last game was their first in eight games leaving them 21st in the table.
However Burton does have hope. They have won three times in the five meetings against United including the last time these sides met.
Manager Nigel Clough is trying to get one over on his ex-club whom he led to the FA and EFL Cup semi-finals. He compared the achievement of that to keeping Burton up: “As much as it was getting a League One club to the semi-finals, I think trying to keep this club in the Championship is a challenge beyond that.”
Manager Chris Wilder has a selection problem in the net for Sheffield United as Jamal Blackman is back from injury to challenge Simon Moore for the number one spot. Wing back George Baldock faces a race against time to recover from his injury but Mark Duffy, who was part of the Burton side that were promoted two seasons ago, is expected to start.
Key stats:
- Burton have kept clean sheets in both previous league encounters between the clubs.
- Four of Sheffield United’s losses in the league this season have been away from home.
- The Brewers have conceded 18 goals in eight home games this season, more than any other side.
- Match referee Oliver Langford has handed out 50 yellow cards and two reds this season, both in the Bristol City vs Leeds United match.