Gus Hamer? Callum O’Hare? A combined Sheffield United and Coventry City XI with surprise omission

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Sheffield United and Chris Wilder host Coventry City and Frank Lampard this Friday, with vital points up for grabs at the top of the Championship.

The Blades will look to take a huge step forward in the Championship title race, but it also could be a fixtures that has a huge say on the play-off picture ahead of the final eight games for teams in the top six mix.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
2	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	38	25	7	6	53	28	25	80
3	BurnleyBurnley	38	21	15	2	52	11	41	78
4	SunderlandSunderland	38	19	12	7	55	37	18	69
5	CoventryCoventry	38	17	8	13	55	48	7	59
6	West BromWest Brom	38	13	18	7	48	34	14	57
7	Bristol CityBristol City	38	14	15	9	49	41	8	57
8	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	38	15	9	14	57	48	9	54

Lampard has spoken previously about Wilder and the games in years gone by between them, while Wilder has enjoyed ‘tremendous’ previous fixtures against the legendary Chelsea figure.

Frank Lampard has masterminded a remarkable run of form since being appointed in November, while many expected Sheffield United to challenge after relegation from the Premier League in 2024.

• READ MORE: Sheffield United and Burnley fans have a lot to say following Ao Tanaka ‘best player’ claims

Sheffield United and Coventry City combined line-up

Lampard has been without numerous players up until recently, with Jack Rudoni the latest to be hit with an issue. Lampard is hopeful that the key Coventry man will be back and available for selection after the international break against Chris Wilder’s side.

The same is true of Sheffield United’s injury list of late, explaining why they bolstered their ranks so heavily in January to ensure they had the required depth at the business end of the season. However, what might a full strength combined XI look like? We take a look at who makes the cut for this formidable line-up.

GK: Michael Cooper

The Blades’ No.1 needs little introduction, with James Trafford and Michael Cooper the standout goalkeepers this season. He has won plenty of points for his side since arriving from Plymouth Argyle in the summer and was a shoo-in for this team. 

RB: Milan van Ewijk

Milan van Ewijk doesn’t have much competition at right-back, given that many of Sheffield United’s options are central defenders or central midfielders by trade. The Dutch defender is one of the second tier’s outstanding full-backs, with his energy and relentless running a real weapon down the right flank.

CB: Bobby Thomas

It wasn’t always clear who the standout central defender was at Cov, but Bobby Thomas has made the starting berth his own — and scored clutch goals in the process. That has been particularly true of late during the recent strong run of form, where he has excelled in both boxes.

CB: Anel Ahmedhodzic 

Anel Ahmedhodzic was always likely to show his class this season back in the Championship. Not many central defenders are as consistently impressive both in and out of possession at this level. He belongs in the Premier League and has shown why this term.

LB: Harrison Burrows

The former Peterborough United star has taken the step up to second tier football in his stride, contributing to crucial goals in the process. His delivery, deeper passing, and consistency have already placed him in the elite full-back bracket in the Championship.

DM: Vini Souza

Speaking of elite players in their position brings us on nicely to Vini Souza. The Brazilian is the engine room of Wilder’s never-say-die Blades team. He sets the standard and others follow suit, all while being robust and excellent in general.

DM: Matt Grimes

Perhaps the first controversial pick, but we are huge fans of Matt Grimes’ ball-playing ability, even if it’s very likely Ollie Arblaster goes on to have the more memorable career at a higher level. Grimes is one of the most consistent and reliably available players in the Championship this decade; he has earnt his starting berth.

RW: Gus Hamer

Perhaps the most versatile player in the team is, naturally, playing out of position. A player well known to Coventry City supporters, Gus Hamer can dictate games from just about any midfield role and we suspect he will do well in an unfamiliar right-wing role.

AM: Jack Rudoni 

Perhaps fittingly, Callum O’Hare’s replacement at Coventry has displaced him in the joint line-up. Had this been asked two months ago, it’s possible the selection would be different; but it’s impossible to ignore Rudoni’s quality and consistent output as the most advanced midfielder for Lampard.

LW: Haji Wright

Be at as a centre-forward or on the left flank, there had to be a place somewhere in this team for a player who scored a hat-trick prior to the international break. Haji Wright is one of the most powerful and deadly forwards in the league and he will be the danger man this Friday and in this combined XI, too.

CF: Tyrese Campbell

Tyrese Campbell is not definitively the best striker at either club but his form has been sensational this season — when he has stayed fit. His clutch goals, as well as his reliable output generally, has combined to make him a key player for Wilder’s new-look Blades in 2025.

• READ MORE: Sheffield United desperate to hit Championship target as worrying record could see them fail at Premier League return

Honourable mentions for the combined XI

Some Sheffield United fans may have expected stronger representation than just six players, but the likes of Ben Brereton-Diaz, Arblaster, and O’Hare were all close calls. It represents the quality of their squad but also the size of the challenge on Friday night.

Coventry are in great form and breaking records under Lampard, but they were also tipped to be competitive my most neutrals and punters in pre-season. Therefore, they had the squad and means to compete with the very best, which they now are.

The Blades and Cov are two of the in-form teams in the league in 2025; all while having two of the most talented squads in the league. That could be the difference in the big game in front of the Sky and ITV cameras on Friday.

Cov can do Leeds’ promotion chances a favour and will hope someone is a match-winner with a moment of individual brilliance to win the game, and you wouldn’t bet against an upset at Bramall Lane in the slightest.