The early kick off on Saturday brings action from the Championship instead of the Premier League as leaders Burnley make the trip to Bramhall Lane to face 3rd place Sheffield United in a mouth-watering clash.
5 points clear at the top, Burnley have had a superb first half to their campaign as they look to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Vincent Kompany has rebranded the club, with the Clarets no longer being associated with the direct football Sean Dyche embedded in the club. Investing in youth, Burnley have become the formidable force going forward in this division. Their hosts today, Sheffield United, aren’t having a bad season themselves. With 9 wins and 32 points from 18 games, the Blades can move into the top 2 with a game in hand over leaders Burnley with 3 points today.
In 2019 these sides finished 9th and 10th in the Premier League. Both sides are desperate to return to those heights and 3 points today would be a statement to the league about their promotion aspirations. This game has the recipe to be a cracker and I would highly recommend watching it and maybe even a bet builder so here’s some tips and a cheat sheet below.
Sheffield United v Burnley Bet Builder Tips
Sheffield United Double Chance
It feels weird to bet against the leaders of the League by 5 points, but Burnley’s performances are dropping, and fitness levels are slacking with the World Cup just around the corner. They left it till the 91st and 100th minute to take the lead against 10 man Rotherham, a side widely tipped to be in League 1 come August next year. Similarly Anass Zaroury had to net in the 94th minute for the victory over Reading. There is no doubt about Burnley’s quality, but they aren’t the same team that started the season and are crying out for the world cup break.
Another side crying out for a break is Sheffield United who have an injury list and a half. Following the international break, they only picked up 3 points from their next 6 before back to back wins appears to have kick started some form. The form of Iliman Ndiaye has been central to these victories as he netted at the Hawthorns and then Ashton Gate last time out.
If there was ever a game to be in form for, then this is the one. Burnley’s performances still rank well statistically but there has been a clear drop off in the past 5 games in intensity levels. The quality is there for all to see but missing key pieces like Josh Brownhill through suspension won’t make them the same machine that Kompany has used to dominate. The Blades have lost just one at home all season and I don’t expect them to add to that today.
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Prediction: Sheffield United Double Chance
Under 2.5 Goals
The challenges should fly in today, and the cards should follow but don’t expect this firecracker of a game to feature too many goals. Burnley concede less than a goal a game on average away from home while Sheffield United concede just one per game at home.
It is clear to see why Under 2.5 goals is priced at shorter odds than the over as the under has landed in 61% of Sheffield United games and 63% of Burnley’s. Burnley have mainly seen the over 2.5 goals line land against sides outside the top 10 such as Rotherham, Reading and Sunderland while the likes of Preston, Norwich and Millwall in the top 10 have seen under 2.5 goals.
Meanwhile Sheffield United have also provided similar defensive excellence, with back to back clean sheets stimulating their U-turn in form. Shipping 2 to Norwich, 3 to Blackpool and 3 to Stoke was not in Paul Heckingbottom’s plans but he will expect the pair of away clean sheets to be repeated in a similar home performance.
Couple all that with the abundance of missing attacking talent (Berge, Brewster, Twine, Brownhill) and the formidable back lines of the league should cancel each other out for a low scoring affair.
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Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals
Sheffield United to Receive the Most Cards
The 5th highest carded side at home this season playing in a pivotal match for their promotion hopes only points to one thing…. Cards. After their poor spell, Sheffield United fans have seen their side enjoy success away but will be demanding a performance at Bramhall Lane. This should only add to the atmosphere and tension surrounding the fixture.
Sheffield United fans and card bettors will be rejoicing at the return of the card prone Anel Ahmedhodzic who is also an exceptional centre half. Pivotally, the likes of Nathan Tella are expected to start, and he draws the most fouls per game of anyone per my cheat sheet. The Burnley of old would always receive the most cards but a new playstyle which sees them have 64.4% of the ball (a league high by a mile) means the other side are often frustrated and kicking out.
The referee, Bond, Darren Bond is also prone to dishing the cards out averaging 4.28 a game which should play into our hands here as we take Sheffield United to have the most cards @ 2.5. For the card bettors, these two sides have drawn the most red cards in the league with 4 each. A red card in the match @ 4/1 anyone?
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Prediction: Sheffield United to Receive the Most Cards
Written by an Andy verified content writer
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How to watch Sheffield United v Burnley in the Championship
📅 When is Sheffield United v Burnley? / Saturday 5th November 2022, 12:30PM
🏟 Where is Sheffield United v Burnley? / Bramhall Lane (Sheffield)
📺 What TV channel is West Brom v Burnley on? / Sky Sports Football
🟨 …And who is the referee for West Brom v Burnley? / D.Bond🏴
