Birmingham v Sheffield United: play-off chase meets top-half bid | OneFootball

Birmingham City host Sheffield United in the Championship on Saturday, 14 March 2026 at St Andrew's, with 10th facing 13th and both eyeing a push towards the play-offs and the top half.

Recent head-to-head meetings have been split. Sheffield United beat Birmingham City 3-0 in December, while Birmingham City edged the EFL Cup tie 2-1 in August.

Birmingham steadied themselves with a 1-0 win over QPR after three straight league defeats, and they have been stronger at home, taking 34 points at St Andrew's compared with 18 away. The Blades' last five league games read two wins, one draw and two defeats, including a 2-0 victory at QPR on the road.

Birmingham are without Kai Wagner, Thomas Doyle and Alexander William Cochrane through injury. For the visitors, Gustavo Hamer is suspended, while Patrick Bamford, Kalvin Phillips, Tom Davies, Michael Cooper, Jamie Shackleton and Sam McCallum are sidelined. Hamer leads the Championship assists chart with 10, so his absence removes a key supply line.

With 54% average possession and 79.67% pass accuracy, Birmingham may look to control the ball and use their high crossing output from open play, having delivered 592 crosses at 17.40% accuracy and scored 10 headed goals. The Blades have won plenty of aerial duels this season and could lean on Callum O'Hare's nine goals and six assists to provide end product. For the hosts, Marvin Ducksch and Jay Stansfield, both on nine league goals, remain the primary threats.

Birmingham sit 10th on 52 points and a win would take them to 55, keeping the play-off picture in view. The Blades are 13th on 49 and victory would move them to 52, potentially lifting them towards the top half.