Promotion hopefuls to end all square
Ninth place Sheffield United host sixth place Middlesbrough in a massive six-point match as the race for the promotion playoffs goes down to the wire. Sheffield United are four points behind Middlesbrough as the two sides have five matches to go in the Championship season.
Sheffield United have won once in their last six matches, and the Blades propensity to draw games has hurt the team's promotion hopes. The Blades are averaging one goal scored in their last six fixtures.
The club is +7 in goal scoring this season, but a lack of goals over the last six weeks has hurt Sheffield United's chances of back to back promotions. Leon Clarke continues to lead the Blades in goals with 17. After a prolonged dry spell in front of goal, Clarke has found the back of the net in Sheffield United's last two matches. However, Sheffield United only managed one point from a possible six.
Middlesbrough go into the crunch fixture in better shape. The team is unbeaten in five of its last six and Tony Pulis' side has gained 11 of 15 points. Middlesbrough have allowed the fourth fewest goals in the Championship, and since taking over at the Riverside on Boxing Day, Pulis has made his side difficult to breakdown. Pulis has been in charge of 18 matches and Middlesbrough have won nine of those fixtures. The team has obtained 31 points from a possible 54.
Following Middlesbrough's 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the weekend, Pulis spoke about star player Adama Traore. The Spaniard looks tired, according to the manager as the Championship's grueling marathon-like season is catching up with him. Traore has been a revelation for the club, scoring five goals and tallying six assists in 29 games. Traore has really turned it on when Pulis arrived at the club. He has tallied a goal or assist in five of Middlesbrough's last nine games. Since Pulis took over the reins at the Riverside, Traore has been a permanent fixture in the team; something he wasn't under Garry Monk earlier in the season.
Both teams desperately need points as just 15 are left to win in the Championship season. Bristol City, Millwall, Brentford and Preston all still have a shot at making the playoffs. Middlesbrough have the inside track currently, but just one point separates them from seventh place Millwall.
Sheffield United and Middlesbrough will share the spoils on Tuesday night. It will make post-season qualification difficult for both, but it will give hope to the rest of the chasing pack.
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