Bottom to top: Wigan & Burnley preview

Horizon scanning the holiday double-header, from Doyle/Norwood rotation to Wigan weaknesses and Burnley bravado.

The two great moments of the regular EFL calendar land on two holidays. The first is Christmas, with its relentless scheduling. The second is Easter - and it’s better! Unlike Christmas, the Easter fixtures signal finality: promotions, relegations, seasons fizzling out and races fizzing up.

For the Blades, we go from bottom (Wigan) to top (Burnley). Logically, our expectations go from as high as they can be to as low as we might expect. But what do we expect? Six points… really? I’d snatch your hand off for four, possibly takes three; devastated by two, cry at one, and zero…

What about us?

Before thoughts turn downwards and upwards, let’s consider ourselves. We have won four and lost two of our last six games - that’s bang on two points per game, which is the cliched standard of promotion form. In fact, only Luton have taken more points than us in the previous six.

With eight games left to play, United have more home games remaining (5) than away (3). That’s encouraging on a couple of counts. First, we are the fourth best home team in the league (36 points), so we can bank on nicking some points at Bramall Lane — hopefully against Wigan. Second, we are the best away team in the league (37 points), so I’d like to think we can bank some points on our travels as well - hopefully against Burnley.

Over an Easter Weekend where every team in the EFL plays once at home and once away, the Blades have a big opportunity to put one foot in the Premier League: there, I said it… … and no, I don’t believe in footballing gods or fatalism. By Tuesday, we could be very happy or very nervous.

Form:

• Position: 2nd

• Last 6: WLWLWW

• Goals: 59

• Goals conceded: 33

• Most goals: Oliver McBurnie (12)

• Most assists: Iliman Ndiaye (8)

Player(s) to watch - Oliver Norwood/Tommy Doyle