After an unbeaten start and with home advantage, it’s difficult to see Boro emerging from this game with anything less than a point. They’ve taken nine points from a possible nine, beating Swansea, Millwall, and Norwich City, who have all beaten other teams during the opening three games. All of those games have been pretty tight in terms of xG, so whilst Boro are getting results, they are not comprehensively outplaying teams, which is why I want the draw on our side, as that could easily have been the outcome of all three games.

Sheffield United looked a little better last time out against Millwall, but I’m generally against Ruben Selles, who so in his managerial career, seems to have earned a glowing reputation without actually doing too much in terms of results.

Six goals scored in three league games for Rob Edward’s Boro, with four shots on target on average, so this bet is right on their usual line.

With Sheffield United low on confidence, and facing three shots on target per game on average, I think there’s potential here for Boro to rack up enough to cover this bet, particularly now Finn Azaz is back in the starting line-up, well known for his shooting from distance.

The Blades are still trying to bed in a number of defensive signings, which has perhaps led to their inability to prevent the opposition from scoring this season.

Gus Hamer is having to play a slightly deeper role so far this season following the departure of Vini Souza, alongside Sydie Peck in a double pivot. It hasn’t prevented him from trying his luck from a distance, with five shots attempted so far this season, all from outside the box.

Last season, Hamer averaged 2.6 shots per 90, so he is certainly capable of covering this bet. I’m expecting Sheffield United to be trailing for large parts of this game, which increases the likelihood of The Blades being on the attack and Hamer getting into shooting positions.

As mentioned when discussing Gus Hamer, Sydie Peck is now the midfielder tasked with being the most defensively minded by Ruben Selles, compared to the box-to-box role he played under Chris Wilder.

Last season, he committed 1.1 fouls per 90 in that role, and that has already increased to 2 per 90 so far this season. The quality of Boro’s midfield is sure to cause problems, with Aiden Morris possessing impressive ball-carrying ability through the centre of the park, and Hayden Hackney’s physicality looking to have gone up a level so far this term.

With the amount of defending I expected from Peck, I’m confident he’ll commit at least one foul.

Louis Barry has probably had a quieter start than expected at Sheffield United, but there were flashes of form last weekend against Millwall, as he breezed past opposition players on numerous occasions. Ruben Selles is clearly a big fan, having took him to Hull on loan last season before signing him for the Blades.

As Boro play with wing-backs, both right wing-back Callum Brittain and right centre-back Luke Ayling will be in close attendance. Both have been shown a card this season, but Ayling picked up cards at a better rate per 90 last season, 0.23 v 0.17, and is 2 and a bit points bigger at the odds.

Godfrey joined Sheffield United on loan last week from Atalanta, for whom he has so far made just five appearances. He joined Ipswich for the second half of last season on loan and again made just five appearances.

Once a highly promising youngster, Godfrey is now 27 but has now not been a regular start for numerous clubs for around five seasons. He played at right back on his debut, which would put him up against Boro’s left wing back, Samuel Silvera.

Silvera is more of a winger by trade and has been a surprise inclusion in Boro’s early-season success, having been sent out on loan last season. He has won five fouls in three games, and up against a rusty Ben Godfrey I think he could prove a threat.

I have covered most of the reasons why I like this bet in the initial bet builder, and given his season average so far of 2 fouls per 90, Sydie Peck to commit 2+ fouls looks like a good bet.

Middlesbrough should be the best side Sheffield United have faced in the league in these early days of the Championship, with the price for Boro to win the game looking a generous one given each team's form so far. I expect Peck to have to do plenty of protecting his back four. He gets around the pitch well, but his energy can sometimes lead to overexuberance when trying to regain possession.