EFL Championship play-offs | 1st Leg

May 8, 2025 at 8pm UK

Robins High Performance Centre

Bristol City vs Sheffield Utd

Match preview

After nearly a decade of languishing in the mid-table of the Championship, Bristol City have secured a coveted play-off spot and are now just three games away from the glamour and riches of the Premier League.

The Robins go into the first leg in less than ideal form, having gone three games without a win to end the regular season in the second tier, the latest of which came last Saturday when they were forced to share the spoils with relegation-threatened Preston North End.

Goals either side of half-time from Emil Riis Jakobsen and Milutin Osmajic gave the visiting Lilywhites a two-goal lead at Ashton Gate, before a brilliant brace from Scottish winger Ross McCrorie sealed the points and a play-off place for the hosts.

Despite picking up just a single point from their last three games, Liam Manning's side remain sixth in the Championship table, two points clear of Blackburn Rovers and Millwall in seventh and eighth respectively.

Back in the West Country less than a week after their stalemate with Preston, Bristol City will be desperate to extend their unbeaten run at Ashton Gate to nine games on Thursday night, having last lost to Swansea City on 9 February.

Despite finishing 22 points clear of their hosts on Thursday, Sheffield United are level on points with Bristol City ahead of the first leg of their semi-final tie, with boss Chris Wilder insisting his side must again prove they are the best of the four play-off teams if they are to reach the Premier League.

A run of two wins in their last seven games of the regular season ended any hopes of challenging Leeds United and Burnley for a top-two finish, with the Blades' latest slip-up coming on Saturday afternoon when Blackburn snatched a point at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United, whose inconsistency denied them automatic promotion, finished the season a clear third in the Championship, 10 points behind Leeds and Burnley, and 14 points clear of fourth-placed Sunderland, who face Coventry City in the other semi-final.

If the division were decided on away form alone, the Blades would be on holiday preparing for life among England's elite, with the Yorkshire outfit picking up 43 points away from home this season, a record only matched by Scott Parker's Burnley (49).

While exciting January signings such as Ben Brereton Diaz and Tom Cannon have failed to set the world alight, Sheffield United remain a dangerous force up top, with Tyrese Campbell and Gustavo Hamer cementing their status as Championship experts.

Recent Performance

Bristol City Championship form:WDWLLD

Sheffield United Championship form:LLWLWD

Team News

Bristol City are still without the services of defender Luke McNally, who is out until the end of October with a serious knee injury.

The Robins' options at the back are further limited by the absence of Cameron Pring, who picked up a hamstring problem in March.

Ayman Benarous (knee) remains a long-term absentee for the hosts, while Mark Sykes (hip) is targeting a return to first-team action this month.

Youngster Ollie Arblaster, who suffered a devastating knee injury in November, will not be available for Sheffield United's play-off campaign.

The Blades are also limited in the centre-back department after Welshman Rhys Norrington-Davies suffered a groin problem at the start of the calendar year.

Possible starting lineup

Bristol City possible starting lineup:

O'Leary; Tanner, Dickie, Vyner; Hirakawa, Williams, Knight, McCrorie; Mehmeti, Twine, Wells

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:

Davies; Gilchrist, Ahmedhodzic, Holding, McCallum; De Souza Costa, Peck; Brooks, O'Hare, Hamer; Cannon