Sheffield United will be looking to climb back to the top of the Championship when they travel to the West Midlands to face basement club Coventry City on Wednesday night.

The hosts have lost only one of their last six matches, while the visitors are seeking to avoid a fifth successive game without a win.

Match preview

After suffering a narrow 1-0 home defeat against leaders Burnley, Coventry bounced back to win by the same scoreline away against Cardiff City last weekend.

A 34th-minute strike from Viktor Gyokeres was enough to secure their first away victory of the season, with Mark Robins's side moving to within three points of safety.

Coventry will now test their mettle against one of the favourites for promotion in Sheffield United, a side whom they beat 4-1 on home soil in March last season, and a victory on Wednesday would see them claim successive league wins against the Blades for the first time since October 2013.

Despite concerns about whether Wednesday's fixture would go ahead at the Coventry Building Society Arena – which is currently owned by Rugby club Wasps who have entered administration – Coventry confirmed on Sunday that they have "received assurances" the game with Sheffield United will take place as planned.

Coventry have lost three of their four home matches in all competitions so far this season, but a win on Wednesday could move them out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

Sheffield United avoided a third successive defeat last weekend but they had to settle for just a point at home against Blackpool in an entertaining contest which saw six goals and four red cards.

After James McAtee and Iliman Ndiaye had put the Blades two goals in front, Blackpool turned the game on its head courtesy of strikes from Jerry Yates (2) and Kenny Dougall before the contest descended into chaos in the final 15 minutes.

Blackpool were reduced to nine men within the space of three minutes when Marvin Ekpiteta and Dominic Thompson were dismissed for two bookable offences, before a Rhian Brewster penalty miss was followed by a dramatic 98th-minute equaliser from Blades midfielder Oliver Norwood. However, the action did not end there as both teams were involved in a mass brawl after the full-time whistle, with Wes Foderingham and Shayne Lavery also given their marching orders.

While Paul Heckingbottom will have been pleased to see his side rescue a point so late in the game, the Blades are now without a win in four and have surrendered top spot in the Championship to Burnley, who sit at the summit on goal difference.

Sheffield United's last three league wins all came away from home, beating Hull City, Swansea City and Preston North End in September without conceding a goal, but they head into Wednesday's contest having lost four of their last five meetings with Coventry.

Team News

Coventry striker Tyler Walker sustained an ACL tear in the defeat against Burnley, but Robins has confirmed that the injury is not as bad as first feared, with the 25-year-old only set to miss the next two weeks.

Callum O'Hare has returned to full training after recovering from a hamstring injury, although Wednesday's game may come too soon for the midfielder, while Liam Kelly is doubtful due to fitness issues and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.

Kasey Palmer could replace Josh Eccles in centre-midfield, while Martyn Waghorn will be pushing to start in attack ahead of Matt Godden.

As for Sheffield United, Heckingbottom has revealed that Oli McBurnie is "playing with a hernia" and his minutes will be managed before he undergoes an operation during the World Cup break.

Daniel Jebbison is ruled out for a few weeks with ligament damage, while John Fleck (broken leg), Sander Berge, Jack O'Connell (both knee), Max Lowe (hamstring) and Ciaran Clark (muscle) all remain sidelined, and Enda Stevens is doubtful with a knock.

The Blades are at least boosted by the returns of Anel Ahmedhodzic and Jack Robinson, who began on the substitutes' bench last weekend, and both defenders will be in contention to feature on Wednesday.

With goalkeeper Wes Foderingham suspended following his red card against Blackpool, Adam Davies is expected to make his first league appearance of the season between the sticks.

Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Wilson; Doyle, McFadzean, Panzo; Dabo, Sheaf, Allen, Palmer, Bidwell; Gyokeres, Godden

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Davies; Basham, Egan, Ahmedhodzic; Baldock, Doyle, Norwood, McAtee, Norrington-Davies; Ndiaye; Sharp

We say: Coventry City 1-1 Sheffield United

Coventry appear to be turning a corner and have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, which bodes well heading into Wednesday's clash against an out-of-sorts Sheffield United outfit.

A closely-fought contest is set to take place in the West Midlands and we can see the hosts earning a hard-fought point against the Blades.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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