Bristol City vs Sheffield United Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

This game will be extremely difficult to call given the form of the respective sides, however, because of their overall league performance and record between the two teams, Sheffield United should narrowly defeat Liam Manning’s Bristol City side in the first leg of the playoff semi-final.

Bristol City are now winless in their previous three matches, and with their recent form, the Robins only scraped a top-six spot on the season's final day. The issue for Bristol City is that they’ve been poor defensively, as the home side have not kept a clean sheet in seven matches.

As for Sheffield United, the Blades are coming into this game unbeaten in their previous two matches, which is a welcome boost considering their recent run of form had squandered the automatic promotion push for the Blades.

The league record between the two sides does place the Blades as marginal favourites, having gained four points from the Robins this season, which includes a win away at Ashton Gate.

This may be a low-scoring encounter, as fewer than 2.5 goals have been scored in four of the last five meetings between the two sides. That being said, we are going for a 1-0 victory for the Blades.

Bristol City 0-1 Sheffield United

Bristol City take on Sheffield United in the first match of the playoffs across the EFL on Thursday, as both sides will be looking to establish an advantage ahead of the second leg.

Date: 08/05/2025
Location: Ashton Gate, Bristol.
Kick-Off: 8 pm

Bristol City are only three games away from achieving promotion to he top flight of English Football for the first time in their history, which would represent a magnificent achievement for Liam Manning and his side. For several years, the Robins had flirted with qualifying for the playoffs. However, those ambitions never came to fruition. This season though, despite some late scares, Bristol City are now within sight of a final at Wembley but will have to overcome one of the pre-season favourites for promotion in Sheffield United.

Bristol City achieved their playoff dreams on the final day of the season, but had to rely on results elsewhere after they were held to a 2-2 draw against Preston North End. The Robins ended the season in sixth place in the Championship, having accumulated 68 points from 46 matches, finishing two points clear of Blackburn Rovers, who narrowly missed out.

Sheffield United were involved in one of the most tightly contested promotion races in Championship history. The Blades, along with Burnley and Leeds, were at one point only separated by two points, but recent form from the Blades drifted them away, and they had to settle for a third-place finish. Chris Wilder’s side suffered unexpected defeats at the hands of Millwall and, more importantly, Plymouth Argyle, which prompted unsavoury scenes at Home Park between the two sides.

The visitors for this game accumulated 90 points from 46 matches, scoring 63 and conceding 36.

The two league meetings between the two sides fell in Sheffield United’s favour. The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Brammall Lane, whilst the meeting at Ashton Gate resulted in a 2-1 win for the Blades thanks to goals from Ryan One and Harrison Burrows.

The game will be available to watch on Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Main Event and via NOW TV and Sky Go.

Bristol City Team News

Luke McNally remains a long-term absentee for Bristol City, as the defender has been ruled out for 16 matches with a cruciate ligament injury. Liam Manning’s side has no other injury or suspension concerns.

Sheffield United Team News

Oliver Arblaster and Jamie Shackleton will be unavailable for Chris Wilder’s side. Tom Davies is at risk of missing the second leg, should the former Everton midfielder receive a yellow card in the first leg.

Bristol City:

Bristol City are coming into this game with no wins in their previous three matches and only one win from their last five league matches. The Robins recently gained a draw against Preston North End (2-2), after suffering two consecutive defeats against Leeds United (4-0) and Luton Town (3-1). The home side did pick up a notable victory against fellow playoff side Sunderland (2-1) at Ashton Gate.

On home soil, Bristol City have a tremendous record, which will make things difficult for the Blades. Liam Manning’s side have won four of their previous five league matches at Ashton Gate.

Sheffield United:

Sheffield United have a terrific record against Bristol City, as the visitors for this game are unbeaten against the hosts since 2019 in the league. Granted, Sheffield United have had time in the Premier League during these six years. The Blades are unbeaten in their previous two league matches, following the draw against Blackburn Rovers (1-1) and a win against Stoke City (0-2).

Away from home, Sheffield United have lost three of their previous five games on the road, with defeats against Burnley (2-1), Plymouth Argyle (2-1) and Oxford United (1-0). Chris Wilder’s side have beaten Sheffield Wednesday (0-1) and QPR (1-2) in their last six games away from home.

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