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Oxford vs Sheffield United predictions: Blades to stay top
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Chris Wilder is eyeing promotion with Sheffield United again
Chris Wilder is eyeing promotion with Sheffield United again

- Sheffield United are two points clear at the top of the table
- Oxford are 19th, four points above relegation zone
- Recommended bet:
Sheffield United to win

Sheffield United resume their Championship title bid with a trip to 19th-placed Oxford on Saturday.

The Blades moved two points clear at top of the table last weekend after their win over Coventry and Leeds' subsequent 2-2 home draw with Swansea, and now Chris Wilder's side will be determined to stay there over the run-in.

They face an Oxford outfit who have conducted themselves reasonably well in their first year back at this level in 25 years, but they are unlikely to trouble the leaders too much at the Kassam Stadium.

The visitors are likely to dominate Saturday's clash and anything other than an away victory would be a surprise as Wilder's side look to keep themselves ahead of Leeds and Burnley in the three-way title scrap.

Team news

Oxford hope Cameron Brannagan will be fit to return to the squad, but Elliott Moore and Joe Bennett remain major doubts for Saturday, as do Max Woltman and Gregory Leigh.

Sheffield United will check on the fitness of Vinicius Souza, Harry Clarke and Tom Davies ahead of the clash, but Rhys Norrington-Davies, Ollie Arblaster and Sai Sachdev all remain out long-term.

The stats

Sheffield United are on a five-game unbeaten run in the league, winning four of those matches.

The Blades are the best-performing away team in the Championship, having picked up 40 points from 19 road trips this season.

Oxford have won just one of their last 11 league matches.

Gary Rowett will be wary of Oxford slipping into relegation trouble during the run-in
Gary Rowett will be wary of Oxford slipping into relegation trouble during the run-in

The Blades triumphed 3-0 at home in the earlier meeting between the two sides in November.

Prediction

Sheffield United's consistency this season has led them back to the top of the table and, with Leeds showing signs of stumbling, the Blades are on course to go up as champions.

They should have too much for Oxford in their next assignment in the run-in on Saturday. The U's are still not out of trouble at the bottom as they sit only four points clear of the relegation places with just seven games to play and a defeat on Saturday would increase fears that they are getting dragged back into the scrap at the wrong time.

Getting anything against opponents who are going for the title looks too big a task and the visitors should end up comfortable victors as they continue to apply pressure to rivals Leeds and Burnley at the top of the table.

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OxfordSheffield UnitedChampionship
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