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Game #41 sees arguably our toughest test of recent weeks, as our gallant Bluebirds once again trek north, this time to visit the high flying Blades of Sheffield in the early kick off Sky covered game.
On face value one would have to consider this a home banker (as opposed to Oli McBirdBrain who is, as we all know a home \/\/@nker) as our hosts sit pretty in 2nd spot in the table, a massive 34 points and 19 places above us in the table, pushing hard for automatic promotion back to the Premier League for the 1st time since the 2020/21 season.
Even the current form tables point to a home win with the Blades picking up 4 wins and 2 defeats in their last 6 compared to the Bluebirds 2 wins, 3 defeats and 1 draw, so it's absolutely fair to say that a mammoth task awaits.
Earlier this season we saw the 2 sides do battle at the CCS, with the Blades coming out on top by a 0-1 scoreline in a game that was evenly contested and arguably shaded by the home side, but sadly with the Bluebirds lack of a cutting edge costing them once again.
The corresponding game last season up at Bramall Lane also saw the Blades run out 1-0 winners with a goal from the talented Iliman Ndiaye.
Ndiaye is the current Blades top scorer this season with 12 league goals to his name and will certainly be 1 of many players to be wary of in their side.
However, it should be noted that the Bluebirds have (on current form) a striker of their own in the shape of Sory Kaba that has a better goals per minute and goals per 90 minute ratio than even the talented Blade's hit-man (0.63 v 0.33 goals per 90 & 143 v 269 minutes per goal) so could we see an upset this Saturday??
Looking back, our record against the Yorkshiremen isn't great, but we have had some successes in relatively recent visits to Bramall Lane with us securing a 0-2 win back in 2011 and prior to that a thrilling 3-4 win in 2009.
That 2009 game saw a rip roaring encounter that boasted a Peter Whittingham hattrick and a Jay Bothroyd goal to secure the points, despite a late rally from the Blades.
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(Excuse the Ads)
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Hopefully Saturday's game will be just as entertaining with a similar result!!
Early Bluebirds Team News
According to gaffer Sabri Lamouchi there are no new injury concerns for the Bluebirds and we could see the return of Callum O'Dowda and a fully fit Joe Ralls in contention for starting places.
Callum Robinson remains a huge doubt however the Bluebirds were boosted by the return to training of Ebou Adams, but you'd anticipate him to be some way off even a place on the bench having missed the entire season thus far.
Doubts remain once again over Rubin Colwill, who apparently soon to be sponsored by Fabergé such is his delicate nature!
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Could it be Henry, the mild mannered janitor?? Urr, no, it's actually Ebou Adams!
Prutton & Co Predict
Well, these guys keep getting it wrong... after predicting a 1-1 for our game against play-off chasing Sunderland, the Sky duo are predicting a comfortable afternoon for the Blades and anticipating a 2-0 scoreline in their favour. To be fair, it's hard to contest that that is a reasonable prediction this time around.
The bookies are unsurprisingly in agreement with the pundits too, with the home team odds on favourites for the win;
Home Win 4/7 Draw 3/1 Away Win 19/4
Fun Fact
It is reported that former Manchester United midfielder and Argentine international Juan Sebastian Veron grew up a Sheffield United fan with dreams of playing for the Blades. His uncle was Pedro Verde, who played for the club between 1978 and 1981.
A football-mad Veron was six at the time and idolised his uncle. He had pictures of Sheffield United on his bedroom wall in his home in La Plata, the capital city of Buenos Aires Province, as well as Blades shirts and scarves.
Judging by his performances in a Chelsea shirt I reckon they had a lucky escape!!
Sticking with the Argentine theme, it's also claimed that Sheffield United went to Argentina on a scouting mission and had the chance to sign a 16-year-old Diego Maradona.
However, complications with the deal saw the club pull out and instead, they returned back to England with deals secured for Alex Sabella and the aforementioned Pedro Verde.
Sharing The Love
Having covered the exploits of our very own "bandit" Nathan Blake amongst others on the home thread, the list was a little thin on the ground for this one.... however, we do have our very own play-off goal scoring hero on the list (a.k.a the Ginger Stripper) and a current International Team boss so it's not all bad.
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Andy Campbell (right) on a pre-season training run with the Bluebirds
So, will the Bluebirds hop off the relegation knife-edge with a victory over the Blades? Can we blunt their attack whilst showing some steel in defence to bring home the points?? Will we steal the points from the steel city???
All I know is I'm hoping our travelling fans won't want to leave their hats on and instead will go the Full Monty with their celebrations as we walk away with 3 valuable points...
Bloooooooooooobirds!!!!
