David Prutton believes Middlesbrough are the only team capable of catching Sheffield United this season, but believes they need to win at Bramall Lane on Wednesday night to do so.
Paul Heckingbottom’s team lead by one game less than Boro and are currently ten points ahead of Michael Carrick’s team. And as good as Boro’s form has been since his head coach’s arrival, the Blades have actually dropped fewer points than Boro in that stretch.
With Sheffield United having the chance to extend their hold on the automatic promotion spot to 13 points with that game still a factor, Prutton believes we’ll meet the top two in the Championship on Wednesday night if the home side get all three. points.
READ MORE: The mood in Middlesbrough’s dressing room ahead of the big Sheffield United clash
Asked if a Sheffield United win would spell the end of Boro’s automatic promotion hopes, the EFL pundit told Sky Sports: “For the sake of our coverage, no. We have to keep people tuned in between now and the end of the season!
“I think what Michael Carrick has done in coming in and galvanizing that team is excellent. Look at what he’s done with Chuba Akpom, for example. He’s a player who almost went out the door in Boro. The way he has it back between the goals the way he has…
“In fact, I saw them a couple of weeks ago against Sunderland in a game they lost at the Stadium of Light. That was a bit of a bump in the road and they’ve been able to get over it.”
“The football they’re playing, with a very solid foundation, means they’re going to go to Bramall Lane with real confidence. The fact that we have these two teams second and third in the Championship, I think don’t think it’s pigeonholed by any stretch. of the imagination.
“I know a lot of people already have Burnley and Sheffield United. I avidly followed Sheffield United last season and saw them reach the play-off semi-final and how close they came to a chance at Wembley. That gave them a boost.” . I think in many ways about the beginning of the season.
“I really don’t think it’s finished yet, and I think this is a great game. Wednesday night under the lights at Lane is always pretty special.”
Prutton engaged the question a bit more in his score prediction for his regular Sky Sports column. Predicting a 2-2 draw in the game at Bramall Lane, he wrote in his preview: “Sheffield United could make a big leap towards promotion on Wednesday night.
“With the utmost respect for the sides below them, Middlesbrough look like the only team really capable of getting close to them if they slip. Boro needs to win this if he is to have any hope of putting any sort of pressure on the Blades. Even if they do , the difference is huge, but things can change quickly and all they can do is try to take the three points. However, I think it will be a draw.”