* Betting odds were correct at the time of publication but are subject to change.
Here we bring you champions league predictions for Sunderland vs Sheffield Utd with the game due to take place on 15th March.
Sunderland vs Sheffield Utd prediction and top betting tips
Sunderland reignited their playoff hopes on Sunday with a win at Carrow Road but it could be a very short lived revival if they lose here. Can they really ignite things with a win against second placed Sheffield United? Find out with our Sunderland vs Sheffield Utd match preview with free tips, predictions and odds mentioned along the way.
Sunderland vs Sheffield Utd Prediction 1: Sunderland to win
This is a tough match to call but we're predicting Sunderland to win. The Stadium of Light will be a cauldron come 8PM on Wednesday evening after the weekends results and it's not like Sheffield Utd have a great away record. The Blades have only won one of their last five games on the road and, more generally, they've lost two of their last three. On top of that, Sunderland have won three of the last four games when they have hosted Sheffield United.
Sunderland vs Sheffield Utd Prediction 2: Under 2.5 goals
The second of our football betting tips for this game comes from the total goals market. Our prediction is that this will be a low scorer as we bet on under 2.5 goals. Sunderland have seen three of their last five home games go under that aforementioned 2.5 cut off with Sheffield United not seeing any more than just one goal in each of their last five matches! Again, the head to head record supports our tip. Focussing on games where Sunderland are at home, three of the last five meetings between the sides have been under 2.5 goals with a game average of just 1.6 goals.
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Here are the key stats & form guide for Sunderland vs Sheffield Utd
So, that gives you some insight to how the different bookmakers see the action unfolding. How though do the Sunderland vs Sheffield Utd odds translate into probability ahead of this game? Let's find out.
Sunderland odds: 21/10 (3.10) – 32%
Draw odds: 7/3 (3.33) – 30%
Sheffield Utd odds: 4/3 (2.33) – 43%
Sheffield United might come into this match as the bookmakers favourites but there is likely to be money flying all over the show from bettors with all of the outcomes offering prices north of the even money (2.00) mark, which instantly gives a nice boosts to things like accumulator slips. The other bet that could catch the eye of punters here is something like the handicap markets; with the match likely to be a tight affair, handicaps can be used to either really ramp odds or to provide an extra element of insurance to a bettor.
Check out the predicted lineups ahead of Sunderland vs Sheffield Utd
Sunderland
Sunderland's top six hopes had looked all but dead and buried after four games without a win and three defeats on the spin but their 1-0 win away at Norwich will ensure the Stadium of Light is rocking here as they host Sheffield United because another win against a “big boy” will really put them back in the mix. Given what is at stake here, there is no time for rotation from Sunday; this is an all hands on deck situation and Tony Mowbray is likely to go with the same starting XI here.
Predicted lineup – Patterson, O'Nien, Batth, Ballard, Hume, Michut, Neil, Ba, Roberts, Clarke, Gelhardt
Sheffield Utd
Sheffield United really don't have time to be messing about with lineups at this point in the season. They've had the gap on them cut massively by Middlesbrough and now face a real battle to hold onto their automatic promotion spot. With that considered, we're not expecting mass changes to the team that played at the weekend but a home defeat to Luton is unlikely to see them go with the exact same side. John Fleck and Oli McBurnie could drop out.
Predicted lineup – Foderingham, Egan, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Bogle, Berge, Norwood, Doyle, Lowe, Ndiaye, Sharp
Sunderland vs Sheffield Utd Line ups
*Starting lineups are usually announced one hour prior to kick off.
Player to watch
Sunderland's young attacker Joe Gelhardt is one that always catches our eye without necessarily ever looking like a 20-goal a season striker and we're recommending you keep an eye on him here. He provided the assist for the Black Cats winner on Sunday meaning he's now got three goal contributions to his name in his last five appearances.
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A quickfire FAQ on Sunderland – Sheffield Utd
Where is the match being played? – Stadium of Light
Who do the bookmakers have as favourites? – Sheffield United
What time does the match kick off? 20:00 GMT