Bristol City and Sheffield United face off for the first leg of the Championship Play-Off Semi Finals this weekend, so here are five key players that could make the difference in the fixture.
Both teams have surpassed expectations from the beginning of the season and are within reach of promotion to the Premier League.
Despite a disastrous 23/24 season for Sheffield United, fans will be disappointed that they missed out on automatic promotion.
Likewise, Bristol City has performed excellently this season, picking up key victories against play-off hopefuls Blackburn, Millwall, and West Brom.
When both sides played each other, Sheffield United came out on top at Ashton Gate through a late winner, before both sides drew at Bramall Lane.
With that being said, here are five players to look out for in the upcoming fixtures.
Bristol City: Jason Knight
Having joined the Robins in 2023, the Irish international has gone above and beyond this campaign, playing the full 4,140 minutes of Championship football.
Knight has also helped his teammates with three goals and six assists this season, the midfielder providing the assist for Ross McCrorie’s equaliser against Preston, which confirmed play-off football for Liam Manning‘s side.
Previously, Knight played well against Sheffield United at Ashton Gate earlier this season, creating four chances in the match, the most of any player in the game, also hitting the post, which would have seen the Robins take the lead.
Knight’s performances have seen him pick up both Player of the Season and Player’s Player of the Season awards for Bristol City.
Bristol City: Max Bird
Officially joining Liam Manning’s squad at the start of the season, the attacking midfielder leads the way in assists for Bristol City, picking up eight throughout the season.
What has been key for Bristol City’s midfield is how familiar both Max Bird and Jason Knight are with each other, having both come through at Derby County‘s youth ranks.
This combination has seen the Robbins hold a strong midfield, with Bird creating the most chances for the side, totalling 75 at the end of the season.
Bristol City: Scott Twine
Joining permanently after a loan spell at the end of the 23/24 campaign, Twine offers plenty of versatility in attack, including creating the second-most chances for the side, with 55.
Twine also creates a lot of danger from long range, scoring from two direct free kicks, as well as attempting 54 shots from outside the box.
The Englisman has experienced the play-offs before, as his MK Dons side fell short to Wycombe in the League One play-offs, an outcome that Bristol City will not hope to repeat.
Sheffield United: Sydie Peck
In what has been a breakout season for the midfielder, Peck has become a mainstay in the Sheffield United squad.
The 20-year-old has refined his game throughout the season, completing 2,929 minutes, despite not being a regular starter until Oliver Arblaster was ruled out for the season in November.
While the Englishman is not one to shy away from a challenge, completing 143 recoveries, the box-to-box midfielder has also won 167 duels.
Peck’s performances have been recognised, winning the Young Player of the Season award for Sheffield United.
Sheffield United: Harrison Burrows
Marked as one of the smart low-budget signings at the start of the season, the versatile left-back has been a key asset to Chris Wilder’s side.
The Englishman has also made eight goal contributions (five goals and three assists), adding to his side’s attacks with his 55 successful crosses.
Fans of both sides will remember that Burrows scored the decisive late winner when the two sides faced each other at Ashton Gate.
Similar to Twine, Burrows has faced play-off disappointment before, with Peterborough losing out to Oxford United in last year’s League One play-off push.
Conclusion
When both sides played each other earlier this season, the games were too close to call, only for late goals to decide the outcomes in both fixtures.
Bristol City will be prepared for the tie through their impressive experience within their ranks, with their strong midfield of Knight and Bird, as well as winger Scott Twine, being integral to how they fare against the Blades.
On the other hand, Sheffield United are also not short on experience, with Harrison Burrows having fresh play-off experience, through a newly revitalised squad, personified through Sydie Peck, could see the Blades’ fortunes change in the play-offs.