Sheffield United v Middlesbrough Betting Preview – Championship 10th April 7.45pm
This is a big game for Boro who are sitting in sixth place. They start the game four points ahead of Sheffield United so victory here would shut out at least one of their challengers for a play off spot. The Blades have slipped away from the top six after having only managed to pick up the one win in their last six played. Can they haul themselves back into the picture with a victory?
Sheffield United News and Form
Sheffield United have one win in their last seven league games (D4 L2) and things just are not falling into place for them. They produced a fantastic performance at the start of the month in almost beating Cardiff, but they let it slip by conceding a late equaliser. Then on the weekend, they tanked away from home against Barnsley who are in the relegation zone. They will be hoping for better on home soil in midweek and they are unbeaten in their last five at Bramall Lane (D2 L3) so they do have that going for them. The Blades have conceded just the one goal in their last three home games as well. Under 2.5 goals at Paddy Power is at 8/13 odds* (Betting Odds taken at 11:49 p.m. on April 8th, 2018). Each of their last three league home fixtures have gone under the goal line. Sheffield United have averaged 1.5 goals per game at home this season while they have conceded at under a goal per game on average. They have taken a clean sheet in 40% of their home games this term so again, that hints that this will be a low scoring fixture.
Middlesbrough News and Form
Boro have been in fine form with a W5 D3 L1 record put up in their last nine league games. They were winless in three before picking up a solid home win over Nottingham Forest on the weekend to return to form. They are undefeated in their last four road games, drawing three of those including their last two. Boro’s last two away games have ended in a 1-1 draw and in the Paddy Power correct score market the 1-1 draw is at 5/1 odds* (Betting Odds taken at 11:49 p.m. on April 8th, 2018). Middlesbrough have netted in each of their last four away games and overall home and away combined have scored in each of their last nine league games. Each of their last three away games have gone under 2.5 goals so again another indicator that goals may be at a premium in this one. Boro have averaged 1.45 goals per away game this season. At this stage, they just need the points and the performances don’t matter. A 1-0 would suit them fine.
Sheffield United v Middlesbrough Head to Head
Middlesbrough collected a 1-0 home win over Sheffield United when they met earlier this season. That made it three wins a row for them over the Blades. Middlesbrough have lost just one of their last eight against them (W5 D2 L1). So the head to head favours Boro who won their last trip to Bramall Lane 2-1 which was in the 2010/2011 Championship season.
Sheffield United v Middlesbrough Betting Odds*
Sheffield United 7/5, Middlesbrough 15/8, Draw 21/10* (Betting Odds taken at 11:45 p.m. on April 8th, 2018)
Sheffield United v Middlesbrough Predictions
Boro have done pretty well with their form to get into the top six and are good enough to avoid defeat in this one. Sheffield United’s failure against relegation-threatened Barnsley on the weekend was a blow and Boro can strike them down too.
