Blackpool come into Thursday’s contest in a concerning position, with the Tangerines remaining in the bottom three of the Championship table having gone seven league matches without a victory.
That run dates back to late October, as a win away at Coventry City was followed by four consecutive defeats heading into the World Cup break, with Michael Appleton’s men falling at the hands of West Bromwich Albion, Luton Town, Middlesbrough and Wigan Athletic to sit on 22 points from 21 second-tier outings.
On their return to action, Blackpool set about to end their wait for a seventh Championship win of the campaign, but they have been unable to do so thus far, firstly playing out a goalless stalemate with Birmingham City before drawing 1-1 away at Cardiff City thanks to Gary Madine’s second-half equaliser.
They would then travel to take on fellow strugglers Hull City on Boxing Day and went 1-0 up in the first half through Sonny Carey, but Jordan Thorniley was sent off soon after half time and Oscar Estupinanfound the net for the hosts in the final 15 minutes to force a share of the spoils and extend the Tangerines’ tough run.
While they may take positives from three draws on the bounce, Blackpool remain two points adrift of safety as a result of that Estupinan equaliser and now find themselves desperate to end a seven-match winless run, although they face a particularly tough test against one of the league’s form sides.
Sheffield United make the trip looking to extend an eye-catching run of form in their bid for automatic promotion, having enjoyed a perfect record since the return from the World Cup break.
The Blades were already in a strong position going into the break, as a win away at Cardiff City left them second with 38 points from 21 games, and they have returned to action with three further victories from their three matches in December thus far, firstly beating Huddersfield Town 1-0 thanks to Billy Sharp’s first-half goal.
Sharp was again on the scoresheet in the following trip to Wigan Athletic, extending their lead to 2-0 after John Egan’s opener, and the Blades eventually stood strong to see out a 2-1 victory after the hosts pulled one back.
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Looking to make it four league wins on the bounce and further strengthen their position in the automatic promotion spots, Paul Heckingbottom’s side most recently took on Coventry City on Boxing Day, and they looked set to cruise to a dominant triumph as James McAtee, Ciaran Clarkand Tommy Doyle put them three goals ahead.
Viktor Gyokeres would pull one back for their visitors with 15 minutes to go, and centre-back John Egan was then dismissed after a second yellow card, but the Blades again stood strong to
pick up all three points, leaving them eight clear of third-placed Blackburn Rovers, and they will now go in search of a fifth straight league win and their 15th of the season when they travel to Bloomfield Road on Thursday.
