2021-22 EFL Championship Betting Preview – Sheffield United

Sheffield United 2021-22 betting odds & predictions

David McGoldrick / Sheffield United ©IMAGO / Xinhua 02/28/2021

Sheffield United 2021-22 EFL Championship Preview
Can Blades bounce straight back?

Sheffield United will need to rebuild after a dreadful campaign in the Premier League last season. Chris Wilder worked wonders at Bramall Lane during his time there, guiding his beloved Blades to the promised land against all odds.

Slavisa Jokanovic is the new man in charge in the red half of the Steel City. Jokanovic took Fulham up via the play-offs in 2018 as well as winning promotion with Watford back in 2015. Can he take Sheffield United back to the Premier League after one year away?

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2020-21 Review: Disastrous campaign for Blades

Sheffield United made a woeful start to last season and never recovered. In fact, they made the worst start in Premier League history, failing to win until January. The Blades opened up with four straight losses before a 1-1 home draw with Fulham. Wilder’s men then lost eight in a row.

Sheffield United finally picked up their first Premier League victory on 12th January. A Billy Sharp penalty was enough to give the Yorkshire side a 1-0 win over Newcastle United. Two weeks later, Sheffield United shocked Manchester United at Old Trafford, leaving with a 2-1 win thanks to strikes from Keane Bryan and Oliver Burke.

Our betting prediction:
Sheffield United top Yorkshire club
5/4

Bet at Paddy Power

 

(odds taken 1642 GMT, Thursday 29 July)

 
The Blades beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1 at Bramall Lane to make it three wins from five. Unfortunately, they failed to keep their improved run going, losing each of their next four. In mid-March, Wilder left Bramall Lane, with Paul Heckingbottom taking over until the end of the season. Heckingbottom’s reign started with a 5-0 hammering to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

Sheffield United were relegated after an away defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers in mid-April, but they did end their season with three wins from their final six. In the latter weeks, the club from the Steel City sealed victories over Brighton & Hove Albion, Everton and Burnley. They went down on 23 points, winning seven, drawing two and losing 29 times.

Our betting prediction:
Sheffield United to finish in the top six
10/11

Bet at 22Bet

 

(odds taken 1715 GMT, Thursday 29 July)

 

 

2021-22 Fixtures: United start with Birmingham at home

Sheffield United begin life back in the second tier after two years away with a home match with Birmingham City on Saturday, 7th August. They then face two tough away trips on the spin, as they take on Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium, and West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns. August ends with games against Huddersfield Town and Luton Town.

Over the festive period, United travel to Craven Cottage a week before Christmas, then face Preston North End at Deepdale on Boxing Day. Sheffield United end 2021 with a home game against Hull City before entertaining Middlesbrough on New Year’s Day. A busy February will see them play Birmingham, West Brom, Huddersfield, Swansea, Blackburn Rovers and Millwall.

United’s season ends with a cracking matchup with fellow promotion hopefuls Fulham at Bramall Lane. Both teams were relegated together last season and will be looking for an instant return to the Premier League.

Sheffield United Key Facts

  • Sheffield United made the worst start in Premier League history last season
  • Just four years ago, the Blades were playing EFL League One football
  • Sheffield United were English champions back in 1898
  • The Blades have been second-tier runners-up seven times

 

Sheff Utd Transfer News: Any notable signings?

Sheffield United have hardly revamped their squad this summer. In fact, they have managed to keep hold of their star players ahead of the Championship kick off. Having said that, some have moved on, including Phil Jagielka, Jack Rodwell and John Lundstram, who have all been released.

Elsewhere, Simon Moore has joined Coventry City on a free transfer. Sheffield United will be hopeful of bringing in a few new faces before the transfer window closes.

Who Are United’s Biggest Challengers: Who will be in the race for promotion?

Before a ball is kicked in the Championship each summer, the three relegated sides are usually the top three tips for promotion. This season is no different, as Fulham, West Brom and Sheffield United are the three favourites to go up.

However, the Championship is glittered with solid sides, and a whole host of clubs will fancy their chances of securing promotion come May. Let’s take a look at who are likely to be Sheffield United’s biggest challengers this season.

Fulham Preview: Instant return for Cottagers?

Marco Silva’s Fulham are the bookies’ favourites to win this season’s Championship. However, with so many top teams in the second tier this year, the title race will no doubt be as captivating as ever, and the Whites may not have it all their own way.

Silva has made some shrewd signings, and the Cottagers’ team looks as strong as anyone’s in the Championship. After also suffering relegation from the Premier League last term, can Fulham bounce back at the first time of asking?

West Bromwich Albion Preview: Can Baggies recover from poor PL campaign?

Valerien Ismael is the new man at the helm at The Hawthorns after West Brom’s relegation from the Premier League. Ismael did a remarkable job at Barnsley last season, fully warranting his big move to the Midlands. The Frenchman will be hoping to hit the ground running at The Hawthorns.

Several players have left the club in the summer months, including Kieran Gibbs, Hal Robson-Kanu and Branislav Ivanovic. Can Ismael build a team capable of challenging for the Championship title this season?

Bournemouth Preview: Parker to be a big hit at the Vitality?

Scott Parker did a sterling job during his spell as Fulham boss. He rebuilt the squad after their poor relegation and got the Cottagers back in the Premier League at the first time of asking. However, despite a brave effort, Parker took the London club down last term.

Bournemouth finished in the play-offs in their first season back in the Championship last term, but it was certainly a turbulent campaign. Eddie Howe left before a ball was kicked, and assistant Jason Tindall lasted until February. Jonathan Woodgate then took over and guided the Cherries to sixth place and a play-off spot. They will be hoping to avoid the play-offs altogether this term and go up automatically.

Cardiff City Preview: Bluebirds to build under Big Mick?

Mick McCarthy’s Cardiff City could be the dark horse in the race for promotion this season. The ex-Republic of Ireland boss did an outstanding job in Wales after arriving last January, taking the Bluebirds from 15th to eighth. City even had a spell in the play-off places.

Cardiff have added to their squad in the summer with some sensible signings, and Wales star Kieffer Moore will be raring to go again after an excellent first season at the Cardiff City Stadium. Keep your eye on the Bluebirds this year.

Sheff Utd players to watch out for in the 2021-22 season: McGoldrick to be the main man?

When David McGoldrick moved to Bramall Lane from Ipswich Town in 2018, the transfer was greeted with mixed emotions among the Blades faithful. However, in his three years with the Blades, the former Republic of Ireland international has been an excellent servant to the club. McGoldrick played 40 times in all competitions last term, scoring nine goals, with eight of those coming in the Premier League.

In United’s promotion-winning campaign back in 2018-19, the forward’s 15 goals played a huge role in their success. McGoldrick may be 33 these days, but the Nottingham-born star remains a very capable player at this level. Can he build on his eight Premier League goals from last term and fire his side to promotion?

Our Sheffield United Predictions: Top six for Slavisa’s side

After such a testing season last time around, Sheffield United could take some time to recover. However, there were some good sings at the end, as the Blades won half of their last six Premier League fixtures. At the time of writing, only Fulham and West Brom are available at shorter odds to win the Championship title.

Paddy Power are currently offering 6/1 for Jokanovic’s men to go up as Championship winners and just 7/2 for a top-two finish. With a whole host of top teams set to challenge for promotion this season, backing Sheffield United to finish in the top six could be your safest best. The Blades are priced at 10/11 to claim a play-off berth.

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