Sheffield United
- Oxford United are in deep trouble in 23rd place in the Championship with 27 points from their 28 games and will be desperate to gain three points from Tuesday’s trip to Sheffield United, who occupy 17th spot with 35 points from 28 games.
- Sheffield United lost 1-0 to Southampton in their last away game, but bounced back in style with a 3-1 home win over Ipswich Town on Saturday.
- The Blades play at a high tempo and focus on wide overloads, attacking transitions and vertical progression from a 3-5-2 base.
Oxford United
- Oxford United are a much more compact and physical side with a defensive block to keep things tight, selective pressing and counter-attacks to unlock opponents while Will Lankshear offers them an attacking outlet with six goals in 27 Championship appearances.
- Oxford have drawn three of their last five and lost one, with a pair of home stalemates against Bristol City and QPR before their away success at Leicester.
- Oxford United have not won away at Sheffield United in recent encounters and that is a tough habit to break.
Head-to-Head
- Sheffield United have won two of the last three Championship meetings between the clubs, including a 1-0 away win just four months ago.
- Oxford United have lost eight, drawn three and won just three of their 14 Championship away games this season.
Key Players
- Callum O’Hare leads the team’s scoring charts with seven goals in 28 appearances and has scored two in their last five games.
- Will Lankshear offers them an attacking outlet with six goals in 27 Championship appearances.
Betting Insights
- The odds of 1.49 on a home victory for Sheffield United look a little short given the visitors are fighting for their lives and come into this match after a morale-boosting victory at the King Power Stadium, so there is a chance of Oxford making it a tighter matchup than the oddsmakers suggest.
- But the superior home form and head-to-head record of the hosts has us leaning towards Sheffield United to win, although there may be some value in the ‘Sheffield United to win and both teams to score’ bet.
- Oxford have conceded 19 in 14 Championship away fixtures this term, an average of 1.36 per game, but did score at the high-flying Foxes last week.
Prediction
But the superior home form and head-to-head record of the hosts has us leaning towards Sheffield United to win, although there may be some value in the ‘ Sheffield United to win and both teams to score ’ bet.
