Sheff Utd vs Derby: Blades to put sharp end to Rams’ run

Sheffield United and Derby County both sit on nine points after five EFL Championship matches heading into their Saturday afternoon (15:00) clash at Bramall Lane, although the Blades' point total paints a false picture as they would have 11 without a two-point deduction for defaulting on payments to other clubs during the 2022/23 season.

Nevertheless, nine points is what they have, and their supporters will be expecting another three added to that total by the time the whistle goes in Saturday's game. Read below for my Sheff Utd vs Derby prediction and all the latest team news ahead of this contest in South Yorkshire.

Team News

Sheff Utd captain Jack Robinson has missed his side's last four games through injury and is expected to miss out again on Saturday alongside the perenially-sidelined Tom Davies.

Chris Wilder named the same starting XI for back-to-back wins against Watford and Hull City and the team's success in those two games could see him stick with the 11 players who have served him so well, with the Blades taking early leads in both matches.

Gustavo Hamer opened the scoring last time out at Hull, firing his third goal of the season, but there are several players still searching for their first in red and white, including Callum O'Hare and Crystal Palace loanee Jesuran Rak-Sakyi.

Football Odds

Like their Saturday hosts, Derby have won their last two games without conceding, beating Bristol City (3-0) and Cardiff City (1-0) at Pride Park, with head coach Paul Warne also keeping faith with his starting XI.

However, unlike Wilder, Warne will not be able to name the same side again, with David Ozoh - on loan from Crystal Palace - sustaining a hamstring injury 50 minutes into last Saturday's victory over Cardiff. Ben Osborn, who left Bramall Lane on a free transfer in the summer, replaced Ozoh against the Bluebirds and could start in his place this weekend.

Kenzo Goudmijn has been vital for the Rams in recent weeks, opening the scoring against the Robins before grabbing the only goal of the game versus Cardiff, and the Dutchman will likely have to be on song if the visitors harbour any hopes of achieving a positive result in South Yorkshire.

Jake Rooney, Tom Barkhuizen, Liam Thompson and Kane Wilson remain unavailable for Derby, while Corey Blackett-Taylor is a doubt.

Wolves loanee Tawanda Chirewa should be given the go-ahead to return after adhering to concussion protocol last time out.

Sheff Utd vs Derby Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Sheff Utd vs Derby page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Sheff Utd are 8/15 to make it three in a row on Saturday, giving the Blades an implied win probability of 65.2%, while Derby are 4/1, or a 20% chance, to do the same.

The draw is available at 3/1, both teams to score at 4/5, and over 2.5 total goals also at 4/5.

Match Result & Total Goals Over/Under 2.5 - Sheff Utd & Under 2.5 Goals @ 13/5

Something's got to give this weekend with both sides having won their last two games without conceding a goal, and I'm expecting it to be Derby's momentum that is halted abruptly.

The Rams have done well to sit level on points with the Blades after being beaten 4-2 by Blackburn Rovers on the opening night of the Championship season. Alarm bells rang after that defeat at Ewood Park, but they've now triumphed in three of their last four in the league, although all three wins have come at Pride Park - their only away match in that run saw them lose 2-1 at Watford.

Sheff Utd, meanwhile, are unbeaten at Bramall Lane this term, following up a 4-2 Carabao Cup win against Wrexham with a 2-2 draw with Queens Park Rangers - where they took a two-goal lead - and a 1-0 victory over Watford. The Hornets barely had a sniff at goal in their most recent home game, and Saturday's clash may play out similarly with the Blades holding firm to collect a third-straight clean sheet.

All three of Sheff Utd's wins in the Championship this term have seen under 2.5 goals, so at 13/5, I'm taking that bet again this weekend.

First Scorer - Kieffer Moore @ 9/2

Kieffer Moore was regarded as one of the most astute signings of the summer in the Championship, with the 6ft5in centre-forward scoring 29 goals across his last two full seasons in the division for Cardiff City and AFC Bournemouth, before spending the second half of the previous campaign on loan at Ipswich Town and netting seven times in 18 appearances to help fire the Tractor Boys to the Premier League.

The 32-year-old has already earned the trust of Blades boss Wilder, who has started the Wales international in all five league games so far, the first three of which he completed. Even in the most recent two, at home to Watford and away to Hull, he was kept on the pitch until the last few minutes of the match.

Moore will now hope to repay his manager's faith with goals. He struck on his home debut for the club against QPR but is yet to add to his tally, coming closest against Watford when his 16th-minute penalty was saved by Hornets goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann.

Undeterred, Moore has taken four shots since that failed attempt from 12 yards, forcing saves from Bachmann with the first two of those, and he will back himself to get back into the goalscoring groove this weekend at home to a side that has shipped six goals in two away outings in the Championship.

The Torquay-born striker has scored twice in his career against Derby - home and away for Cardiff in the 2020/21 season - and looks poised to grow that number on Saturday.

Moore's price in the anytime market - 7/5 - isn't too appealing, so instead, I'm plumping for the big man to find the net first in South Yorkshire. I'm not predicting too many goals between the sides, while I'm backing the Blades to take all three points, so Moore to score first feels like a sensible selection at 9/2.

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