Blackburn Rovers vs Sheffield United – Preview | OneFootball

Sheffield United entertain Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Tuesday night in the Championship.

Rovers come into this game having suffered a 2-1 defeat in the Lancashire derby against Preston North End, which leaves them in 16th on five points.

The Blades, meanwhile, were thrashed 3-1 at home to Norwich City at the weekend, leaving them 15th on six points.

These two sides met just a couple of weeks ago in the EFL Cup at Ewood Park where it was United who clinched a 2-1 victory.

Team News

Tony Mowbray’s side are already having to contend with a number of injury issues, particularly on their forward line with Yuki Ohashi and Mathias Jorgensen dealing with minor hamstring problems. To add, defenders Harry Pickering and Scott Wharton could also miss the fixture.

Chris Wilder has already been on record to discuss the limited options the Blades have to change things from the bench mid-game. The likes of Ryan Oné, Tahith Chong, Harrison Burrows and Femi Seriki remain in the treatment room. Meanwhile, experienced right-back Matt Doherty has found minutes hard to come by this season.

Blackburn Rovers’ Impact Player For This Game

BLACKBURN, ENGLAND – MARCH 15: Todd Cantwell of Blackburn Rovers during the Sky Bet Championship match between Blackburn Rovers FC and Cardiff City FC at Ewood Park on March 15, 2025 in Blackburn, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

The home side could find joy through 28-year-old experienced playmaker Todd Cantwell. Cantwell has been operating as a top Championship playmaker for several years now, with only his fitness record being his major downfall.

So far this campaign, he has made five starts and registered a goal. He is averaging almost two shots per game and 1.2 key passes per game.

Across the first few games the Blades have quite clearly been very easy to play against in the central midfield area. The opposition have regularly found joy in winning the second and third balls, and winning the duels against United’s midfield. And with Cantwell’s ability to carry the ball and use his vision to find a forward pass, the Blades cannot afford to give him any time and space to stand comfortably on the ball.

Sheffield United’s Impact Player For This Game

DERBY, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 01: Ben Brereton Diaz of Sheffield United celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County FC and Sheffield United FC at Pride Park on February 01, 2025 in Derby, England. (Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images)

Usually it is Sheffield United who has to deal with former players coming back to haunt them. But perhaps they can give Blackburn a taste of this medicine.

Chilean versatile forward Ben Brereton Diaz had an outstanding spell for Rovers under Tony Mowbray, netting 36 goals in 80 appearances from the inverted left-winger position. He is yet to get off the mark for the Blades since joining the Blades late in the summer window, but the best is yet to come as he continues to build up his match sharpness.

On his day, Brereton Diaz provides explosiveness off the right, with his game suited to a counter-attacking style of play where he can burst into space. From there he can cut inside, using combination play down the left and in the half-spaces. And we cannot forget about the threat he poses when he looks to unleash a right-footed curling effort into the far corners of the goal, which Blackburn fans, as well as the manager, will know all about.

My Prediction

The Blades were second best for the majority of the game against Norwich City, though it is fair to say that the Canaries are a level above the next opponents Blackburn Rovers.

With Rovers being at home, they will likely start the game on top, but I can see the away side settling into the contest and begin to boss proceedings around the 20-minute mark.

United have tasted lots of success in recent trips to Ewood Park, winning on their last three visits to this ground. I think they can continue their good fortune on Tuesday evening. Sheffield United will leave Lancashire and travel back to South Yorkshire with a 2-0 victory.

Stats taken from Fotmob.