David Flower
Dailysports's expert
Sheffield United
Cardiff
One of the matches of the 43rd round of the Championship will be played on Friday at Bramall Lane, where the local Sheffield United will host Cardiff City. I suggest a bet on the outcome of this clash with good chances of success.
Match preview
Sheffield United confirmed their status as one of the season's favorites from the first rounds and deservedly remain in the fight for a direct ticket to the Premier League. Chris Wilder's team confidently holds a top spot in the table, occupying third place, five points behind the leading Burnley and Leeds. Meanwhile, the Blades are seven points ahead of Sunderland.
On the other hand, the team is currently in a serious crisis, as indicated by three consecutive defeats in the Championship. The Blades lost to far from the strongest opponents — Oxford United (0-1), Millwall (0-1), and Plymouth (1-2). Sheffield United at home has secured 14 wins in 21 matches, losing in 4 encounters.
Cardiff is having an extremely challenging season and is fiercely battling for survival at the end of the championship. The team is stuck in the relegation zone and currently trails Derby County, who are in a safe spot, by one point. With nine wins and 18 losses, the Bluebirds have accumulated only 42 points, placing them 22nd in the league table.
The main problem for the team is an unstable defense: with 45 goals scored, they have already conceded 66. However, the team's attacking potential cannot be called weak — Cardiff can create chances and convert them, but defensive lapses regularly nullify their efforts. In the last round, Omer Riza's men hosted Stoke City and lost 0-1.
Probable lineups
- Sheffield United: Cooper – Seriki, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Burrows – Choudhury, Peck, Brewster, Hamer, Brereton – Campbell
- Cardiff City: Horvath, Rinomhota, Fish, Bagan, Dauda, Colwill, Mannsverk, Davies, Ashford, Alves, Saleh
Match facts and head-to-head
- In the first round, the Blades defeated the opponent 2-0
- Cardiff City took revenge in the FA Cup, defeating the opponent away 1-0
- The bet on "Total over 2.5" played in one match out of five
Prediction
The Blades have lost too many points in games against not the strongest opponents. Bookmakers believe that the series will finally end in the game with one of the outsiders. We also believe in Sheffield United and our bet is on "Sheffield United to win" with odds of 1.63.
