Sheff Utd Championship Odds: Quality additions can put Blades in top six

Sheffield United came down from the Premier League in a ball of flames. After getting promoted to the top flight, they sold their best players, had a list of defensive injuries longer than my arm, and subsequently conceded the most goals in Premier League history, amassing just 16 points on their way back down to the Championship. 

But a takeover is now in the pipeline, summer signings have been made and Chris Wilder is a manager who has already taken this club up from the second tier. Below I’ve taken a look at the Sheff Utd Championship Odds, and given a prediction as to where they will end up this term. 

Last Season: 20th (Premier League)

Top Scorer: Oli McBurnie, Ben Brereton Diaz (6)

Transfers In: Callum O’Hare - Coventry (free), Kieffer Moore - Bournemouth (£1.5m), Harrison Burrows - Peterborough (£3m), Jamie Shackleton - Leeds (free), Sam McCallum - Norwich (free).

Transfers Out: Cameron Archer - Aston Villa (£15m), Jayden Bogle - Leeds (£4.5m), Beanie Traore - FC Basel (£3.5m), Oli McBurnie - Las Palmas (free), Max Lowe - Sheff Wed (free), Ben Osborn - Derby (free), Wes Foderingham - West Ham (free), Daniel Jebbison - Bournemouth (free), George Baldock - Panathinaikos (free).

First Game: Preston (A)

Prediction: 4th

Championship Odds

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Out of the 24 teams, this is by far the biggest risk. I am aware of the circumstances regarding Sheffield United right now, I know their squad is painfully lacking in depth and I’m aware Chris Wilder isn’t potentially the same manager that he was five years ago. The pending takeover is now not expected to be completed until the end of the month and there is a lot of work to do in terms of incomings. 

The list of players they have lost this summer is huge, with Jayden Bogle joining a promotion rival in Leeds. Oli McBurnie, Max Lowe, Wes Foderingham, Cameron Archer and Ben Osborn have also departed as the Blades look to do a big rebuilding job in the second tier. 

So why on earth, after such a disastrous Premier League campaign and a summer exodus, have I got them in the top four of the Championship? Firstly, they have made some truly sensational additions. The quality of player that is coming through the door is extremely high, and although clearly more numbers are desperately needed, I think they will have an XI that can compete at the top end of the division. 

Look at the signing of Callum O’Hare on a free. He is one of the top attacking midfielders in the league having flourished with Coventry over the last four years, and it represents somewhat of a coup that the Blades managed to tempt him to stay in the Championship. He will be fantastic for them this season, while the other additions have also been excellent. 

Football Odds

Kieffer Moore proved that he was a top second tier striker at Bournemouth, and I’m expecting him to be a strong outlet for this side. Meanwhile, a whole host of EFL clubs were chasing Peterborough’s captain and left-back Harrison Burrows, yet he chose Bramall Lane. Those three are top-end Championship players, of that I have no doubt. Jamie Shackleton and Sam McCallum are useful full-backs with second tier experience and I expect more signings to come through the door. 

It’s absolutely imperative that progress is made in that department as it stands this side won’t be able to make the top six. There are gaps in the squad, but if these are filled I believe they can crack the play-offs. 

A big reason for that is the talent that remains on their books - for now. Gustavo Hamer was one of the best players in the league during his last season in the Championship, as he dragged Coventry to a play-off final, scoring in the semi and the final itself. If he stays, and it's a big if, he could form one of the best midfields in the league along with Vini Souza and Oliver Arblaster. 

Souza has also been linked with a move away, but he will go for a fee and I think the Blades can and will reinvest. Elsewhere, Anel Ahmedhodzic will be the best centre-back in the league if he stays and Auston Trusty is also capable of performing at a high level.

Wilder may not be spectacular, but he is more than capable. He’s also got a decent amount of credit in the bank at Bramall Lane and is a safe pair of hands to get the best out of this squad. I think with the individual quality they have, it could all be okay.

There’s still gaps to fill, I know that, and the other play-off contenders are strong, but Sheff Utd can produce the goods this term. I’m taking a gamble on their future transfers at the time of writing, but by the time we get to January, the takeover should have gone through, and therefore they may be able to attract better players. 

I can’t shake the feeling that the Blades are going to be tough to beat this season, and they have the individual quality to win plenty of matches. I don’t think they will be particularly close to the top two, but they can certainly secure a play-off place. 

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