Stoke vs Sheffield United Prediction: Free-scoring Blades meet miserly Potters

Stoke City will look to close the gap between their 10th place and the play-off positions on Monday against Sheffield United (19:45 GMT). The Blades endured a shell-shocking 5-3 loss to Wrexham on Boxing Day. 

Meanwhile, Mark Robins’ Potters are winless in their last two, with an element of psychological disadvantage at play. Sheffield United beat Stoke 4-0 on December 6. Read on for my Stoke vs Sheffield United predictions, bolstered by the latest odds and team news.

Football Odds

Team News

Stoke defender Junior Tchamadeu is absent once again. The 22-year-old is representing Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations. 

While Tchamadeu is a miss at right back, it is the other side of the defence which will trouble Robins the most. With Eric Bocat already sidelined with a knee problem, losing Aaron Cresswell during the game against Preston will give the ex-Coventry City boss a headache.

Blades chief Chris Wilder will be unable to call upon defender Ben Mee following minor hand surgery. Former Everton midfielder Tom Davies has endured an injury-blighted time in Yorkshire and a persistent calf issue keeps him out of this fixture. Another calf-sore absentee is midfielder Sydie Peck.

Stoke vs Sheffield United Odds

The home side are 15/8 to triumph on Monday evening. The Blades are looking to cut them down at 6/4. The draw is priced at 11/5.

Today's Football Fixtures

Over 2.5 total goals @ 11/10

You can never guarantee goals in football, but this game feels destined to deliver a few strikes. Five of Stoke’s last eight games have seen more than two goals scored. For the Yorkshire side that total is six over-2.5-goal games from eight.

Wilder’s men sprung a 4-0 shock on Robins’ boys earlier this month. Whether the result is a repeat or revenge, you’d expect the free-scoring Blades and their goal-happy hosts to serve up plenty of goalmouth action.

Stoke City to win @ 15/8

On the subject of repeat or revenge, I feel like Stoke are well-placed to exact the latter on their recent conquerors. Wrexham stuck five past United last time out and Stoke have the players to exploit any defensive lapses.

Sorba Thomas is a creative and goalscoring dynamo. The Wales international could well add to his 13 goal involvements in 23 games this season. Million Manhoef and Divin Mubama also provide plenty of threat going forward. 

At the other end, Stoke boast the most miserly defence in the Championship. The well-drilled team in red and white have let in just 21 goals this term. Their opponents today have conceded 36, the third-most in the league after beleaguered Sheffield Wednesday and play-off hopes Hull City.

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