Preview: Sheffield United vs. Wigan Athletic - prediction, team news, lineups

At a time when the Blades are six points clear of third place, Wigan find themselves bottom of the table and five points adrift of safety.

Match preview

During last weekend's fixtures, Sheffield United were level at half time versus Norwich City when Middlesbrough were beating Huddersfield Town, leaving the latter in line to move within one point of second spot.

Instead, the gap has been extended to six points, Middlesbrough's unforeseen capitulation at the John Smith's Stadium occurring at a time when Sheffield United were able to grind out a 1-0 triumph at Carrow Road.

As it stands, that looks like being the pivotal weekend of the season, but Paul Heckingbottom will demand that his players avoid any complacency over the coming weeks.

On paper, a home fixture versus the division's bottom-placed club is ideal, yet the Blades have lost four of their most recent eight matches in the Championship.

That said, five of their next six fixtures are to be played at Bramall Lane, and it ensures that Sheffield United's fate is very much in their own hands.

Wigan's recent three-point penalty for failing to pay wages on time has left Shaun Maloney's team with an increasingly-uphill battle to avoid relegation zone.

However, with Reading having been deducted six points earlier this week, the Latics are back to within six points of 20th spot with seven matches left.

Maloney has also witnessed Wigan collect five points from their last three fixtures, a potentially-crucial 1-0 success being posted over Queens Park Rangers last time out.

With the likes of Blackpool, Reading and Rotherham United still to come, Wigan will believe that they can haul themselves out of trouble, but they will acknowledge that they must also take points from the more difficult games on their schedule.

Sheffield United Championship form:

W

L

W

L

W

W

Sheffield United form (all competitions):

L

W

L

W

W

W

Wigan Athletic Championship form:

D

L

L

D

D

W

Team News

Heckingbottom may be prepared to name the same Sheffield United side which started the narrow 1-0 win at Norwich.

Should an alteration be made, it would likely see Oliver Norwood or John Fleck restored in central midfield.

Oli McBurnie should retain his spot down the middle of the attack despite not scoring a league goal since the middle of February.

Danel Sinani is a doubt for Wigan after needing to be withdrawn during the first half of the victory over QPR.

Thelo Aasgaard is on standby to replace the Luxembourg international, but the rest of the team may remain the same.

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:

Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic, Egan, Robinson; Baldock, Berge, Doyle, Lowe; McAtee, Ndiaye; McBurnie

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:

Amos; Hughes, Whatmough, Rekik; Darikwa, Power, Tiehi, McClean; Aasgaard, Fletcher, Lang

We say: Sheffield United 2-0 Wigan Athletic

With Wigan on a three-match undefeated streak, it would be naive to write off the visitors. Nevertheless, Sheffield United sense an opportunity to move further clear of Middlesbrough, leading us to back a professional performance and win for the home side.

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