Pick of the stats: Sheffield United v Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough could rise to the top of the table should they defeat hosts Sheffield United on Monday (20:01 GMT).

Coventry's goalless draw to Oxford on Saturday afternoon means that Boro can retake their place at the apex with a victory, having previously been kept off the top spot by goal difference.

But the Blades are undefeated across their past three games (W2 D1) and are proving to be difficult to beat on home soil in recent times.

• Sheffield United have won seven of their last nine home league games against Middlesbrough, losing the others in April 2011 and February 2023.
• Middlesbrough have won three of their last four league games against Sheffield United (L1), and are looking to complete the double over them for the first time since 2010-11.
• Sheffield United have won each of their last four home league games, netting three goals in each match. They last won five in a row at Bramall Lane while scoring 3+ goals each time between April/August 1971.
• Middlesbrough have won each of their last five league games, last having a longer run in September/October 2023 under Michael Carrick (6).
• Sheffield United's Andre Brooks has scored in each of his last three league games. He'd only scored in four of his first 66 league appearances for the Blades.