Sheffield United will host Nottingham Forest at Bramall Lane in the first leg of their EFL Championship semifinal playoffs on Saturday as the Blades are close to an immediate top-flight return.After getting relegated from the Premier League in humiliating fashion last year, Paul Heckingbottom's side rebuilt themselves with an excellent campaign in the second tier. They ended the regular season in fifth place with 75 points from 46 games, thrashing winners Fulham 4-0 on the final day.Nottingham, meanwhile, finished five points above Sheffield in fourth place, despite picking up just one point from their last two league games. It's their first appearance in the playoff round since the 2010-11 season.Sheffield United vs Nottingham Forest Head-To-HeadThere have been 128 previous clashes between the two teams, and the spoils have been closely shared. Sheffield have won 46 times, while Forest have triumphed on 48 occasions.However, the two teams played out a 1-1 draw in their two league clashes earlier this season.Sheffield United@SheffieldUnitedBuilding up to the first leg. Paul Heckingbottom's pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's semi-final. Available in full now on YouTube. 462Building up to the first leg. ✊Paul Heckingbottom's pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's semi-final. Available in full now on YouTube. 👇Sheffield United Form Guide (all competitions): W-W-W-D-L.Nottingham Forest Form Guide (all competitions): D-L-W-W-W.Sheffield United vs Nottingham Forest Team NewsSheffield UnitedThe Blades crushed Championship winners Fulham 4-0 on the final matchday in a clinical performance. That might convince manager Paul Heckingbottom to field the same lineup on Saturday too. Billy Sharp is the only notable absentee with a calf injury.Injured: Billy Sharp.Doubtful: None.Suspended: None.Unavailable: None.Squawka@SquawkaNottingham Forest's first appearance in the Championship play-offs since 2010/11. twitter.com/SquawkaNews/st…Squawka News@SquawkaNews21st September 2021: Steve Cooper takes charge of Nottingham Forest with the club rock bottom of the Championship.07 May 2022: Steve Cooper guides Nottingham Forest to 4th and secures a play-off spot.An incredible appointment. 2113421st September 2021: Steve Cooper takes charge of Nottingham Forest with the club rock bottom of the Championship.07 May 2022: Steve Cooper guides Nottingham Forest to 4th and secures a play-off spot.An incredible appointment. 🌳 https://t.co/ZewpJrq5kONottingham Forest's first appearance in the Championship play-offs since 2010/11. 🙌 twitter.com/SquawkaNews/st…Nottingham ForestThe Tricky Trees will continue to remain without Lewis Grabban and Keinan Davis, both of whom are out with injuries. Max Lowe is also sidelined, but he is ineligible to face his parent club even if he was available.Manager Steve Cooper, meanwhile, is still waiting on Ryan Yates, Jack Colback and Steve Cook. The trio have struggled with fitness issues in the last few days.Injured: Lewis Grabban, Keinan Davis, Max Lowe.Doubtful: Ryan Yates, Jack Colback, Steve Cook.Suspended: None.Unavailable: None.Sheffield United vs Nottingham Forest Predicted XIsSheffield United (3-4-1-2): Wes Foderingham; Chris Basham, John Egan, Jack Robinson; Ben Osborn, Oliver Norwood, John Fleck, Enda Stevens; Sander Berge; Iliman Ndiaye, Morgan Gibbs-White.Nottingham Forest (3-4-1-2): Brice Samba; Scott McKenna, Jonathan Panzo, Joe Worrall; Djed Spence, James Garner, Harry Arter, Jack Colback; Philip Zinckernagel; Brennan Johnson, Sam Surridge.$1,000 Risk-Free Bet at BetMGM SBSheffield United vs Nottingham Forest PredictionGiven the contrasting run of form with which the two teams ended their regular season, it's easy to say Sheffield are the favourites.Nottingham, though, are no slouch and won't roll over easily, but the hosts could still secure a narrow win.Prediction: Sheffield United 1-0 Nottingham Forest.