It’s a big battle at the top of the table in the Championship on Friday evening as Sheffield United host Coventry City at Bramall Lane.
The hosts sit level on points with Leeds United at the top of the table and will be hoping to increase the pressure on their Yorkshire rivals. Should they avoid defeat, they would leapfrog the Elland Road outfit into first place.
It won’t be easy against a Coventry side with promotion ambitions of their own. They are currently in fifth place in the Championship and need the points to consolidate their position in the playoff places. They are currently two points above seventh-placed Bristol City.
SHEFFIELD UNITED VS COVENTRY PREVIEW
The two sides shared a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture earlier this season at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Sheffield United took the lead twice, only for the Sky Blues to peg them back each time. Tyrese Campbell scored the opener for the Blades in the 13th minute but Norman Bassette scored his first goal for Coventry nine minutes later to equalise.
Sheffield United were back in front before half-time, with Jesurun Rak-Sakyi scoring their second. However, Anel Ahmedhodzic’s sending off changed the complexion of the match and Coventry used their one-man advantage to score ten minutes from time through Bobby Thomas.
Both sides go into Friday’s fixture in strong form. Sheffield United have won four of their last six Championship games, while Coventry have won five of six. Their last game saw them win against fourth-placed Sunderland. Coventry are the form team in the Championship right now and so they will be feeling confident ahead of their trip to Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United’s last game was a confidence-boosting 1-0 win in the Steel City Derby against Sheffield Wednesday though. Their only loss in their last six was against table-toppers Leeds United, but they are exhibiting weaknesses, particularly in attack. The Blades have only scored seven goals in their last six games, compared to Coventry’s 13.
Meanwhile, Coventry’s only recent defeat came in their last away game – a disappointing 2-0 reverse at lowly Derby County.
All of this suggests that this game could go either way.
Jack Rudoni is a doubt for Coventry, the midfielder having missed the last three matches after dislocating his shoulder against Oxford United.
Ben Sheaf and Brandon Thomas-Asante are both concerns, having missed the last two games against Derby and Sunderland. There is a chance they could both return to action though.
For Sheffield United, Oliver Arblaster remains out, but there are no new concerns.
SHEFFIELD UNITED VS COVENTRY PREDICTIONS
Sheffield United Win
Unbeaten in March, second-placed Sheffield United are on a strong run of form. They will want to put pressure on table toppers Leeds and retain the distance between themselves and third-placed Burnley, who are just two points further back. The last time the two sides met at Bramall Lane, the Blades secured a 3-1 win.
Draw
This is a battle between two of the most in form teams in the Championship. Like at the Coventry Building Society Arena back in November, the two sides could cancel each other out.
Coventry Win
Coventry are the form team right now and they will be determined to consolidate their place in the playoffs. They are also scoring more prolifically than Sheffield United. An away success is not beyond the pale.
SHEFFIELD UNITED VS COVENTRY – BETTING TIPS
Sheffield United to Win
This promises to be a very tight game, but home advantage could just about clinch it. Sheffield United have lost just three times at Bramall Lane this season while Coventry have lost eight on their travels.
Over 2.5 Goals
Three of the last five games between the two sides have had over 2.5 goals, including both of the last two.
Coventry have scored exactly three goals in three of their four matches in March. Sheffield United conceded three against Leeds United in late February (but it’s fair to say they have tightened up since then).
SHEFFIELD UNITED VS COVENTRY – HEAD-TO-HEAD AND KEY STATS
- Sheffield United and Coventry have played each other 68 times, with both teams having won 24 games apiece. There have been 20 draws.
- Sheffield United have only won one of the last five meetings between the two sides – a 3-1 win at Bramall Lane in December 2022.
- Sheffield United have only scored seven goals in their last five games, compared to Coventry’s 13.
