Blades Boss Offers Automatic Promotion Verdict Ahead of Middlesbrough Clash | OneFootball

Sheffield United return to Bramall Lane on Monday night to face high-flying Middlesbrough in what has all the ingredients of a Championship classic under the lights.

The Blades head into the clash full of confidence after extending their formidable home form with a 3-1 victory over Oxford United last time out. That result made it eight straight home wins for Chris Wilder’s side, underlining Bramall Lane’s status as one of the toughest places to visit in the division as second-placed Boro come to town.

Middlesbrough, though, arrive in South Yorkshire in scintillating form of their own. They have won their last five league matches, hitting three or more goals in three of those victories. Boro currently sit level on points with league leaders Coventry City, although the Sky Blues hold a commanding advantage in goal difference at this stage of the season.

United will once again have to make do without Jairo Riedewald, with his return tentatively pencilled in for the Steel City derby later this month. Tom Davies is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks, while Patrick Bamford also remains a doubt. Sam McCallum continues to be the Blades’ only major long-term injury concern.

The visitors have defensive issues of their own. Centre-back Alfie Jones has been out since late December with an ankle problem, while Alex Bangura has not featured since early January after picking up a soft tissue injury.

Sheffield United Boss on Championship Promotion Race And Blades Form

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 03: Sydie Peck of Sheffield United celebrates scoring Sheffield United’s first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Oxford United at Bramall Lane on February 03, 2026 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Speaking ahead of the clash in his pre-match press conference, Chris Wilder gave his thoughts on the battle for automatic promotion, believing it remains finely balanced at the top.

“I believe it will be two from three. Coventry, Ipswich and Middlesbrough are the three outstanding teams in the division I believe. I think it’s a close one to call but Coventry will come again, made some good signings and got a brilliant manager. Middlesbrough have been there or thereabouts and Ipswich, even though we turned them over a few weeks ago, for me are the strongest group with one of the best managers in the country leading it and have that experience.”

Wilder also reflected on United’s upturn in form, with 29 points taken from the last 15 games.

“Maybe we didn’t have the opportunity of a pre-season so maybe those first ten games, six weeks, was our pre-season. We were finding things out about the team and the players. We talked about how damaged they were psychologically and we needed to put them into shape on and off the pitch.”

With both sides in red-hot form and plenty riding on the outcome at the top end of the table, Monday night at Bramall Lane promises to be exciting.