Sheffield United agonizingly missed out on promotion twice last season as they saw their city rivals Wednesday earn automatic promotion on the last day of the season in place of them whilst losing in the play-off final to Huddersfield – on penalties. They will both have been a bitter pill to swallow for Danny Wilson and his players but they must use that as motivation this time around. Many people’s favourites to go back up, the Blades have to cope with the expectation this time around but they have kept their team together and added more quality so they should be there or thereabouts once again.
Shrewsbury earned promotion from League Two last season finishing runners up to Swindon. Their success was mainly based on a terrific home record as they remained unbeaten for the full season at Greenhous Meadow with 18 wins and five draws. Away from home they may need to improve as they suffered 10 defeats on their travels. Manager Graham Turner has sought to add some experience to his squad with the acquisitions of Paul Parry from Preston and Darren Jones from Aldershot. It will be a tough ask for the Shrews as sides promoted to League One often struggle for the step up.
Sheffield United will be expected to earn automatic promotion after the heartbreak of last season and will be looking to continue their good form at Brammall Lane where they were dominant at times last season. Expectation is always dangerous and sometimes difficult to contend with but Wilson is experienced and knows what it takes to earn a promotion.
It’s all about consolidating for Shrewsbury this season but they could barely have faced a tough task than the one they have tomorrow. It could be argued that there is a division of a difference in terms of quality but they are in the same league and cannot be overawed by the challenge they face. Like any side who have been promoted, they must ensure they use the momentum gained for the previous season’s successes to their advantage.
Sheffield United look strong and have quality for this level right throughout their squad. I make them favourites to win the league and they should have too much firepower for newly promoted Shrewsbury.
Sheffield United 4/6 @ William Hill
