The Magpies beat the Blades 2-0 in the reverse fixture before Christmas on a night when Jonjo Shelvey's calmness secured the points as teams were still getting used to VAR.
That put United on 19 points at the start of December and in the 16 games since they have banked 16 points.
It may not have been pretty at times but they are on course for survival.
Were they to beat Sheff United on Saturday they would reach the 38 point mark FOUR games earlier than they managed to last season.
Lee Ryder's prediction
Newcastle managed to scrape a 1-0 victory at Southampton last weekend after squandering a host of chances against 10 men on the South Coast.
But they'll be punished if they are so wasteful again this time, and there's a chance they won't get anywhere near as many chances against a Sheff United team fighting for a European spot.
We're close to the end of the season now, Sheff United's position is no fluke, this will be one of the hardest games of the season.
Newcastle will need to rise to the occasion but I think they can edge a tough contest.
Referee
David Coote (Nottinghamshire)
Took charge of first FA Cup game at Rochdale which ended 1-1.
Charity bet
Newcastle are not favourites to win this game on home soil, but we'll go for three points for the Magpies at 5/2.
