Derby v Sheffield United: play-off push meets mid-table finish | OneFootball

Derby County host Sheffield United in the Championship on Saturday, 2 May 2026 at Pride Park, with a late play-off chance on the line for the hosts and a solid finish the target for the visitors.

Derby County are eighth with 69 points, while Sheffield United are 15th on 57. The Blades won the past two league meetings, 3-1 in November and 1-0 at Pride Park in February 2025.

Derby have three wins in their last five, including away at QPR and a 1-0 home victory over Oxford. The Blades have two wins in five and lost their last two, to Blackburn and Preston.

The Rams list Callum Elder, Sam Szmodics, Rhian Brewster, Derry Murkin and Patrick Agyemang as injured. The Blades also count Kalvin Phillips and Tyrese Campbell among several absentees, alongside Michael Cooper, Jamie Shackleton, Sam McCallum, Andre Brooks and Tyler Bindon.

Carlton Morris and Patrick Bamford each have 12 Championship goals this season. Derby have scored 18 headed goals and convert 23.54% of open play crosses, so deliveries into the box could be a route to goal. With 44% possession and 74.69% pass accuracy, they are comfortable without the ball. Sheffield United average 53% possession with 77.98% passing and 412 shots, but only five headed goals. Timing of runs may be crucial given they've been caught offside 91 times.

A home win would take Derby to 72 points and could push them into the play-off places, depending on other results. A Blades win would move them to 60 points and could lift them higher in mid-table.