Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder is convinced his side are ready to break the club’s play-off curse and seal Premier League promotion.
The Blades fought back in their final Sky Bet Championship match of the regular season to draw 1-1 at home against Blackburn, who fell short in their own bid to snatch a top-six finish.
Yuki Ohashi gave Blackburn a second-half lead, which briefly lifted them into sixth place, before Anel Ahmedhodzic equalised nine minutes later.
United, who have failed in eight previous attempts to win promotion via the play-offs, will play Bristol City in the first leg of their semi-final next Thursday.
Wilder said: “The energy has been reset. The focus is on now. Two big games. Respect in terms of what Bristol City have done this season.
“Hopefully we’ll show that the team who finishes third doesn’t automatically lose in the play-offs, that the team who doesn’t win play-offs can win one and that the team that hasn’t been to Wembley for years can go to Wembley.
“The players are massively up for it. We’re fit, we’re determined, we’re focused. We know it will be a tough two games to get to Wembley, but it will be tough for the opposition as well.
“The club’s been here for 130-odd years, it’s going to be here for another 130-odd years and we will win a play-off campaign, so why can’t it be this one?”
The Blades looked odds-on to seal a top-two finish before a recent three-game losing run, but Wilder was delighted to see them recover their form.
He said: “The feeling around the place is really positive and it should be. The team’s given me everything. To get to the points total is a fabulous achievement.”
Blackburn needed a win at Bramall Lane and for other results to go their way to snatch a play-off place.
A 13-point haul from their previous five matches had catapulted them back into contention and although they finished two points adrift of their target, head coach Valerien Ismael was upbeat afterwards.
“It was an outstanding performance,” Ismael said. “The gameplan until the goal we conceded was perfect. Exactly what we expected, to stay in the game 0-0 and we knew we would have our chance.
“After that, I think we conceded the goal too quickly to be able to make some change and make our shape stronger.
“In the end we put every attacking player on the pitch, we played with only one midfielder and tried for that lucky punch. It was a close call.
“But I take more positivity today. For sure we are disappointed to miss the play-offs, but we built some momentum and can keep it for next season.”
[(Angers SCO) Strength]: 1. Angers SCO performed underwhelmingly in Ligue 1 last season. They surely hope to secure a better ranking this season. Facing newly-promoted Paris FC, they are motivated to take all 3 points in this game.2. Angers SCO signed goalkeeper Herve Koffi from RC Lens and midfielder Louis Mouton from AS Saint-Etienne in the transfer window.3. Angers SCO received 4 wins, 1 draw, ...
[(FC Nantes) Strength]: 1. FC Nantes finished 13th last season, with a serious situation of avoiding relegation. They aim to keep their survival in the new season. Facing Paris Saint-Germain FC, earning points or even a victory would solidify their foundation for avoiding relegation. With decent home form, FC Nantes hope to capitalize on home advantage to boost morale and confidence, making them h...
[(Espanyol) Strength]: 1. Espanyol finished 14th with 11 wins, 9 draws, and 18 losses in last season's La Liga. They scored 40 goals and conceded 51 in 38 league games. In the offseason, the team signed new players to boost their lineup. They are strongly motivated in the first home game of the new season.2. Espanyol's young forward Roberto Fernandez has completed his permanent transfer to Espanyo...
[(Athletic Bilbao) Strength]: 1. To secure their first win this season, Athletic Bilbao are undoubtedly motivated in this game.2. On July 4, Athletic Bilbao officially announced Nico Williams' contract extension until 2035, with his release clause increasing by at least 50% to over 87 million euros.3. Athletic Bilbao won 13 of the last 20 home games across all competitions, showcasing outstanding ...
[(Manchester United F.C.) Strength]: 1. As it's the opening match of the new season, Manchester United F.C. are highly motivated to secure their first victory at Old Trafford.2. Manchester United F.C. have focused their summer rebuild on the attack, spending heavily on a new trio of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko, which should improve their offensive output.3. Manchester United F....
[(Nottingham Forest) Strength]: 1. This game is the first home match of Nottingham Forest in the new season, so the team will surely hope to start with a win.2. Nottingham Forest finished 7th with 19 wins, 8 draws, and 11 losses in the Premier League last season, once entering the top four.3. Nottingham Forest had a home record of 9 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses in last season's Premier League, rank...
[(Chelsea F.C.) Strength]: 1. This summer, Chelsea F.C.'s most significant reinforcements came in the attacking line. Liam Delap and Joao Pedro joined early, participated in the Club World Cup, and quickly integrated into the team, both scoring goals. Meanwhile, young talent Estevao Willian, before his transfer, scored a stunning goal for Palmeiras against Chelsea F.C. in the same tournament. The ...
[(Gwangju FC) Strength]: 1. Gwangju FC's newly signed foreign forward Holmbert Fridjonsson made his K League 1 debut as a substitute in the last match and could be in line for a starting spot in this game.[(Gwangju FC) Weakness]: 1. Gwangju FC's foreign striker Jasir Asani is set to join Iranian club Esteghlal F.C. He missed the last league match due to an ankle injury and remains doubtful for thi...
[(Gimcheon Sangmu FC) Strength]: 1. Gimcheon Sangmu FC forward Park Sang Hyeok scored 8 goals in the league this season, becoming the most stable scoring point of the team.2. Gimcheon Sangmu FC drew 0-0 with Gangwon FC in the last league game on the road. They were unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws in the last 4 league games, revealing stable form.3. Gimcheon Sangmu FC scored 8 goals in the last 5 ...
[(Fagiano Okayama) Strength]: 1. Fagiano Okayama midfielder Hiroto Iwabuchi scored a brace in the last league game, helping the team take all 3 points.2. Fagiano Okayama's top scorer Takaya Kimurab scored a goal in the last league game, ending a nearly three-month goal drought as he found the net for the first time in seven games.3. Fagiano Okayama won 3-0 over Gamba Osaka in the last league game ...
- 1 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 2 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 3 Hummels snubs son for match with new model girlfriend
- 4 Agent of Real Madrid defender David Alaba responds to Saudi Pro League transfer speculation as Spanish giants ponder selling 33-year-old after injury woes
- 5 TIPS - Juventude VS Corinthians
- 6 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 7 TIPS - Villarreal VS Real Oviedo
- 8 TIPS - Atletico San Luis VS Cruz Azul
- 9 TIPS - Cambuur Leeuwarden VS FC Oss
- 10 Alexander Isak goes on STRIKE! Forward Refuses to Play Newcastle Opener as Liverpool Linger