Sheffield United v Cardiff

A pivotal game in both teams' seasons takes place on Friday evening, the result of which will have massive consequences at both the top and bottom of the table.

Sheffield United will go into the game knowing the outcome of Burnley’s trip to Watford. Should Burnley lose, the Blades’ fate will be back in their own hands, given they face off with Burnley on Easter Monday. Two wins would see them leapfrog The Clarets.

Cardiff will also know the results of the majority of their relegation rivals, although it is somewhat immaterial given only a win will move them out of the drop zone due to their inferior goal difference compared to Derby.

⭐ Sheffield United v Cardiff Best Bet

➡️ Back Sheffield United to Win & Both Teams to Score with bet365 @ 3.75

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As the finish line draws near, funny things can happen to teams when the pressure cranks up. 

Sheffield United have been a strong defensive side for the majority of the season, but have only kept four clean sheets in their last fifteen games. They appear to wilt with relative ease of late, having limited their last three opponents to few quality chances but still conceded four goals.

Despite their soft underbelly, we still think they’ll have the attacking class to score at least a couple of goals against a Cardiff side who have kept even fewer clean sheets in their last fifteen games, just two. Sunderland, Burnley and Leeds all managed to score at least two goals, and The Blades can do the same.

👕 Sheffield United v Cardiff Predicted XI

🔍 Sheffield United v Cardiff Players to Watch

🔴 Sydie Peck

Peck has enjoyed a breakthrough season under Chris Wilder, making 29 starts for one of the league's top sides. The central midfielder provides plenty of energy and endeavour, and is not short on quality of the ball either.

He is yet to score for Sheffield United, but in recent weeks has stepped up his attacking output, registering at least one shot in each of his last five games. On three of those occasions, he has taken two or more shots.

Peck has started 15 games at Bramall Lane and has covered this bet in five of those starts.

➡️ Back Sydie Peck to have 2+ Shots with bet365 @ 3.25 🔛

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🔵 Yousef Salech

Cardiff City’s Danish striker has made a decent impact since joining from Swedish club Sirius in January, managing to find the net five times in sixteen appearances.

Salech has only managed to score twice in his last ten appearances, but he has still managed 12 shots in his last five, so he is still getting in the right positions. 

With the Blades looking shaky at the back in recent weeks, Salech is the most likely beneficiary for Cardiff. The 16/1 about him scoring a header is also worth a look, given 13 of his 27 shots have been headers, and 2 of his 5 goals.

➡️ Back Yousef Salech to Score Anytime with bet365 @ 5.0 🔛

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📂 Sheffield United v Cardiff Cheat Sheet

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💻 Sheffield United v Cardiff Form and Tactics

Sheffield United are coming unstuck at precisely the wrong time of the season. They come into the came following three defeats in a row, two of which were against teams involved in the relegation battle. Chris Wilder took umbrage with some fans who booed after the first of those losses at Oxford.

Their poor form is unlikely to lead to a change in formation, which has seen them perform so well this term. It will be a 4-2-3-1, with two holding midfielders and full backs given license to get forward. They perform to work the ball into the box rather than crossing the ball when the opportunity presents itself, having played for most of the season without an aerial threat as their main striker.

Cardiff have not been playing too badly, they were unbeaten in four before their crucial game with Stoke at the weekend, but went down by a single goal, with Isaac Davies missing an open goal just five minutes before Stoke went ahead. They will hold some hope they can come to Bramall Lane and get a result, having already done so in the FA Cup, albeit against a heavily rotated side.

The Bluebirds actually average the sixth most shots on target per game, but sit 21st in terms of shot conversion. They have experimented with a number of different systems, but use a 4-4-2 on Saturday. We think they’ll want to be a bit more solid at Bramall Lane, so expect an extra man in midfield, or an extra centre back.

🏁 Sheffield United v Cardiff Ref Watch

• Referee: Tony Harrington

• Stats are on a per 90 basis and are taken from 2024/25 Championship games (15 total)

Football Predictions at Andy's Bet Club

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* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.

* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.