FA Cup: Sheffield United vs Blackburn Rovers predicted score, key stats, verdict and suggested bets

FA Cup, quarter-final, Sunday, March 19, Kick-off 12pm, live on ITV

Sheffield United 2-2 Blackburn Rovers

Sheffield United to draw with Blackburn

Sheffield United vs Blackburn BTTS, yes

Blackburn Rovers to win on penalties

Sheff Utd have won their last four games vs Blackburn at home in all competitions

The last three meetings between the sides has seen just one team score

Five of Sheff Utd's last six games have finished with a 1-0 scoreline

Sheff Utd have lost just four of their 18 home league games this season

CH: Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Sheffield Utd, March 2023

CH: Sheffield Utd 3-0 Blackburn Rovers, August 2022

CH: Sheffield Utd 1-0 Blackburn Rovers, February 2022

CH: Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Sheffield Utd, November 2021

LC: Sheffield United 2-1 Blackburn Rovers, August 2019

George Baldock, Tommy Doyle, James McAtee and Daniel Jebbison all returned to the line-up in the win at Sunderland and will hope to start again. McAtee went off late on with a knock and will be assessed.

Tyler Morton and Ben Brereton Diaz earned recalls in place of the injured John Buckley and Tyrhys Dolan last time out and are in line to start once more.

Sheff Utd have lost two of their last four games at home in all competitions

Blackburn have lost just one of last seven away in all competitions

Blackburn won 2-1 at Leicester in the previous round

Sheff Utd defeated Spurs 1-0 at home to reach last eight

Paul Heckingbottom after the win at Sunderland: "We were really bright, brave and sharp with the ball. To concede the way we did was a kick in the teeth. We showed a good mentality to get back into it, the energy and bravery we wanted to show. I'm pleased with the response.

"We got the goal we deserved in the first half. The message was the same at half-time and I was pleased with how we responded and played.

"I am proud of all the staff and players and how professional we have been. This week could be a huge week in careers for the players and the history of the club, that is what we are playing for. We can't be fearful, we are in a fantastic position in the league and in the quarter-final of the cup."

Jon Dahl Tomasson after win at Reading: "I'm really pleased with the win. At this stage of the league, every win feels more important.

"(It was) great to bounce back after our game against Stoke. The first goal was excellent. Great football, great transition moment and a great finish.

"We probably should have scored a couple more goals in the first half with those chances, even if I thought we played too slow in the first half. I was not happy with the speed of the game.

"They showed great spirit and togetherness, and great football with all those moments we had. We probably could have won it 6-1."

These two sides have already met twice this season with the latest meeting coming at the start of last month. Blackburn won that encounter at Ewood Park 1-0 to get revenge for a 3-0 defeat in South Yorkshire in August.

There are similarities about these two Premier League-chasing sides. Both have new managers inside the last 18 months, both are chasing promotion and they each dispatched Premier League opposition in the previous round.

Sheffield United defeated Spurs 1-0, while Rovers were impressive in a 2-1 win at Leicester, which was kind on the hosts. And Sunday's lunchtime battle will be a close-run affair.

The bookies have the hosts as 4/6 favourites, but that seems short. The Blades were beaten 1-0 by Luton last Saturday before bouncing back at Sunderland.

Rovers edged past Reading at home in midweek, but they have lost just once in seven away games and have been playing with a swagger.

They have been priced up at 5/1, which seems a bit disrespectful to Jon Dahl Tomasson's men, who are nine points behind the Blades in the Championship.

Rovers seem to be hitting form at just the right time with five wins from six - and they really should have won more convincingly last time out.

Both teams may well have been tempted to rest players had the game come at any other time than just before the international break. So expect both teams to be a full strength in an even contest that could go to penalties.

But the visitors appear to be in better form right now and they are worth backing to get through the tie.