Will Sheffield pass Boro?
In the English Championship, the teams have played between 32 and 36 games. Accordingly, there are still a number of catch-up games on the schedule and every free day must be used. On Tuesday evening, five games are on the agenda. In the oldest professional stadium in the world, Bramall Lane, the top match will take place. Hosts Sheffield United and Middlesbrough face each other at 20:45.
A clash of two teams with their eyes on the Premier League and right behind each other in the current table. The visitors from Middlesbrough would currently have a play-off ticket in the bag as sixth in the table, but Sheffield United are only two points behind and could move past their rivals with a home win. Sheffield United v Middlesbrough betting odds of 2.00 are being offered for this success.
The role of the favourites for the home side is understandable, especially due to Middlesbrough’s performances away from home. “Boro” stumbled extremely lately and does not present itself like a promotion candidate outside of its own stadium. An improvement in performance is needed if they are to hold their own against the Blades.
Sheffield United – Statistics & current form
The negative run at Sheffield United lasted for more than a year before they managed to step out of the crisis. The decisive factor for the turnaround is undoubtedly the personnel of Paul Heckingbottom. The U23 coach was promoted to head coach at the end of November and led Sheffield United back to success. In 15 Championship games he has a very strong 31 points and has only suffered two defeats.
Sheffield remain winless twice
Thanks to nine wins in 15 games, the Blades have started to catch up and are now within reach of the play-off places. With Fulham and Bournemouth dominating the league, direct promotion is no longer an option and a top-six finish is a must. Recently, there was a short setback for the first time in weeks. After the 1-0 defeat against Milwall, there was only a 1-1 draw at home against Nottingham Forrest last weekend.
What has been striking about the recent games of the Heckingbottom side, however, is the paucity of goals. The 4-0 win over Swansea City was an exception, and in the last ten league games, eight bets on the under 2.5 were crowned with success. Also eight times the prediction that not both teams will score was correct. Sheffield were known for a lot of structure in the game and an outstanding defence. Heckingbottom brought back this quality and accordingly these two tips offer themselves for the chasing duel Sheffield United against Middlesbrough.
In terms of personnel, the hosts will still have to do without top talent Rhian Brewster, while centre-back Jack O’Connell has also been missing from Paul Heckingbottom’s side for several weeks.
Predicted Sheffield United line-up:
Foderingham – Davies, Egan, Robinson – Norrington-Davies, Norwood, Fleck, Ndiaye – Berge, Gibbs-White – Sharp
Last matches played by Sheffield United:
Championship
03/04 2022 – Sheffield United 1 – 1 Nottingham Forest
02/26 2022 – Millwall 1 – 0 Sheffield United
02/23 2022 – Sheffield United 1 – 0 Blackburn
02/19 2022 – Sheffield United 4 – 0 Swansea
02/15 2022 – Sheffield United 0 – 0 Hull
Middlesbrough – Statistics & current form
2016/17 Middlesbrough were in the Premier League for a year, suffered immediate relegation and have since gritted their teeth in the fight to return. This season, however, they can dream again after finishing 17th and tenth in the last two years, respectively, and promotion was not an issue. At “Boro”, too, a breath of fresh air is ensuring better results. Chris Wilder has been with the Red and Whites since this season and the game at Bramall Lane will be a very emotional affair for the 54-year-old. He spent just under five years with the Blades between 2016 and 2021 and experienced many highs and lows with Sheffield United.
Bearish cup season
There will be no time for sentimentality on Tuesday night, however, with both teams fighting for the PL play-offs after all. At least the visitors should not lack self-confidence, because Middlesbrough not only plays a very strong season in the domestic championship, but proved to be a giant-killer especially in the traditional FA Cup. After their success against Manchester United, they also eliminated Tottenham Hotspurs last week and are thus already in the quarter-finals. The next highlight awaits the second division club there on 19 March, when Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea will be guests at the Riverside Stadium.
Away clearly weaker than at home
First, however, we have to defend our good starting position in the league. In contrast to Sheffield, Middlesbrough managed a win at the weekend, at home they defeated Luton Town (who narrowly lost to Chelsea in the FA Cup) with 2:1. This was Middlesbrough’s twelfth home win of the season. At home, the team has a very strong 2.11 points per home game.
Away from home, on the other hand, the Wilder team is a little weaker. Only four of the 16 away games were won, with an average of just 1.06 points. By no means figures of a promotion aspirant, which is also why Sheffield United are favourites against Middlesbrough according to current odds.
Predicted line-up of Middlesbrough:
Lumley – Fry, McNair, Dijksteel – Taylor, Crooks, Howson, Tavernier, Jones – Balogun, Connolly
Last matches played by Middlesbrough:
Championship
03/05 2022 – Middlesboro 2 – 1 Luton
FA Cup
03/01 2022 – Middlesboro 1 – 0 Tottenham
Championship
02/26 2022 – Barnsley 3 – 2 Middlesboro
02/22 2022 – Middlesboro 2 – 1 West Bromwich Albion
02/19 2022 – Bristol City 2 – 1 Middlesboro
Sheffield United – Middlesbrough Direct comparison / H2H record
One home win without a goal for the respective visitor has occurred in the last three meetings in the Championship between these two sides. A home win is a good bet for Sheffield United against Middlesbrough anyway, as the home side have enjoyed full success in seven of their last eight games. “Boro won the first leg of the current season 2-0 at home at the end of September.
Sheffield United – Middlesbrough Tip
A dozen games are still to be played in the regular season and due to the narrow point differences, this direct duel will not bring a decision, but will definitely be trend-setting for both teams. Due to the weak away performance of the visitors, a prediction in the direction of the home side is certainly recommended for Sheffield United against Middlesbrough.
But even more interesting is a bet on a game with few goals or the tip that not both teams will score. The starting position ensures that both teams will choose risk wisely. In addition, Sheffield have clearly stabilised their own defensive department in recent weeks and were a guarantee for these bets. Therefore, six units between Sheffield United and Middlesbrough are recommended in this forecast, a 1.98 seems a good deal too high after all.
