The biggest Championship game this midweek undoubtedly comes at Bramall Lane, with what could be possibly the last opportunity for the runaway top two be caught.

With second place an automatic promotion spot, Sheffield United will not mind being the first team behind exceptional leaders Burnley. The Blades are in fine form, losing just once in all competitions since the 19th October, and winning 11 of their 15 league games during that period, including a comfortable 3-0 win over Swansea City last weekend. Midfielder Sander Berge, central defender Jack Robinson and striker Oli McBurnie were the goalscorers at Bramall Lane, bringing their Championship tallies this season to five, two and 10 respectively. McBurnie was a second half substitute behind the frontline of Billy Sharp and Iliman Ndiaye, who have 12 combined in the second tier this season. Sheffield United have the division’s second best home record this season, behind only leaders Burnley, and have failed to score in just two of their 15 league matches at Bramhall Lane.

10 points behind Sheffield United, and the only team whose form can come close to the current top two, are Middlesbrough. Boro’s transformation under Michael Carrick has seen the Teessiders climb away from the division’s bottom places and rise up into the play-off positions. Defeats at Burnley and Sunderland are the only blemishes on a run that has seen Middlesbrough win ten of their last 12 league matches, failing to score on just one occasion during that run. Under Carrick’s 4-2-3-1, Chuba Akpom has become the Championship’s leader in the golden boot race, currently on 16 goals from 24 second tier appearances. Riley McGree, Marcus Forss and Cameron Archer are all among the other players who have scored recently for the Boro.

The form team outside of the current top two, Wednesday evening presents a huge opportunity for Middlesbrough to close the gap to second place Sheffield United. The Blades have been formidable at home this season, though the visitors have also been a formidable side under their hotly-rated manager. Exactly how this game finishes is up for debate, but with two of the division’s best attacking outfits facing off, it feels right to expect goals from this clash in South Yorkshire.