Sheffield United vs Blackburn predictions: Rovers can keep play-off hopes alive
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- Sheffield United guaranteed third-place finish
- Only a win will do for top-six hopefuls Blackburn
- Recommended bet: Blackburn draw no bet
The top two and bottom two have already been confirmed but there is still plenty to be decided on the final day of the Championship season on Saturday.
Sheffield United missed out on automatic promotion to the Premier League behind Leeds and Burnley and Chris Wilder's side are now preparing for the play-offs, knowing they are assured of third spot regardless of results on Saturday.
Looking to join them in the top six are Blackburn, who are one of five teams in contention to fill the last two play-off spots in the second tier.
As it stands, Rovers sit eighth going into the final day and they must win away at Bramall Lane to stand a chance of making the play-offs.
If Blackburn were to draw and Coventry lose, Rovers would go above the Midlands club but the Sky Blues are playing Middlesbrough, who would go above Blackburn with the win.
Valerien Ismael's side will be fully focused on securing three points and they could be dangerous opponents for the Blades.
Team news
Defenders Harry Clarke and Rhys Norrington-Davies remain out for Sheffield United, who will also be without midfield pair Oliver Arblaster and Tom Davies.
Blackburn are unlikely to ring the changes for this game given their current run of form but they remain without Hayden Carter, Harry Leonard, Owen Beck, Scott Wharton and Andreas Weimann.
The stats
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Blackburn have reeled off four straight wins in the Championship, winning those fixtures by an aggregate scoreline of 8-2.
Sheffield United's recent home fixtures have produced a mixed bag of results with their last six league contests at Bramall Lane featuring three wins, one draw and two defeats.
Blackburn have netted in 14 of their 22 home games in this season's Championship.
Prediction
It has been a frustrating end to the season for Sheffield United, who missed out on automatic promotion despite going into the final day of the season with 89 points.
A run of three straight defeats in April derailed their charge, although they have since stabilised to a degree with two wins from three games.
That said, those recent victories were against Cardiff, who have been relegated, and Stoke, who are in the relegation scrap on the final day of the season.
Wilder will want to finish the regular season on a high note but could be tempted to shuffle the pack ahead of the play-offs.
Blackburn, meanwhile, know they have to win this game so they can be expected to throw everything at Saturday's contest.
They are in terrific form, having won their last four matches against Luton, Millwall, Sunderland and Watford and they should be in high spirits at Bramall Lane.
As for the best strategy, punters should back Rovers in the draw-no-bet market, where stakes are returned if the match finishes level.
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