Brentford vs Sheffield United
Griffin Park
Sky Bet Championship
Kick-off 3pm
The Opposition
After romping to the Sky Bet League One title last season, The Blades have taken quickly to the second tier after a seven-year absence. An opening day success over The Bees was just one of 12 wins they picked up from their first 17 games as they set the pace at the top of the league for much of the autumn.
The winter months have been less kind to Wilder's team with United winning just six of their last 21 league games to go into tomorrow's match outside the top six by two points. It's been a lack of goals which has seen The Blades slip away from the summit of the table; Billy Sharp and Leon Clarke, so deadly in the opening months, have scored just seven between them since November with United themselves managing just 14 in 16 games this calendar year.
Team News
The Blades are able to welcome back Enda Stevens, Lee Evans, and David Brooks for tomorrow's visit to Griffin Park. Wilder's side will be without Paul Coutts who has missed much of the season with a broken leg.
For The Bees, Rico Henry remains out with his knee-injury while tomorrow's game may come too quickly for Andreas Bjelland as he recovers from the calf injury picked up against Millwall. Romaine Sawyers also serves his one-match suspension after getting sent off against Middlesbrough last time out.
The Manager
Chris Wilder is building up an impressive CV with last season's promotion at Bramall Lane his fourth as a manager. His playing career saw him make nearly 500 appearances for Sheffield United, Rotherham United, and Halifax Town amongst others during a 15-year career.
After retiring in 2001, he took over at Alfreton Town and won four trophies during his 27 weeks in charge. A six-year spell at Halifax Town followed before the club was wound up in 2008 and he moved to Oxford United, via a six-month spell as Assistant Manager at Bury. Promotion via the Play-Offs came during his first full season and he followed that up with two top-half finishes back in League Two.
In January 2014, Wilder departed The Kassam Stadium for Northampton Town. After saving The Cobblers from relegation that season, he led them to the League Two title in May 2015, with a points tally of 99. Nigel Atkins departure at Bramall Lane saw Wilder take over at his boyhood club last summer and he proved to be an instant success as The Blades ran away with last season's League One title.
Pre-Match Views
Dean Smith: 'We have got to the stage now where they are must-win games'
Sergi Canos: "We haven't stopped believing"
Opposition View: Rob Staton of BBC Radio Sheffield with the lowdown on The Blades
We Meet Again: Re-live August's trip to Bramall Lane
Ticket and Travel News
Tickets for our Good Friday game are on sale now. Back Dean Smith and the boys against The Blades from just £25 adults and £8 juniors. For more information and to buy your tickets click here.
Supporters should be aware that a Rail Replacement Bus service is in operation this weekend between Clapham Junction and Barnes.
Betting Preview
Principal partners LeoVegas have a range of markets on tonight's game. Check out their wide range of markets here.
Match Coverage
iFollow will be providing commentary from Griffin Park from 2.30pm with Matchday Live hosted by Mark Burridge. Mark's guests this weekend will be former Bee Marcus Gayle and Alan Denman.
Download the Official Brentford FC App to get notifications direct to your phone, plus all the latest news, views and reaction from the game. Visit the Play Store or iTunes App Store now to download.
