Sheffield United vs Cardiff Prediction: Blades to bounce back

Sheffield United have taken quite the battering in the last couple of weeks haven’t they? They had a chance to go four points clear of Leeds United when they kicked off against Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium, but three consecutive defeats has seen them drop down to third, and they are now five points behind both Burnley and Leeds. 

They have a meeting with Burnley to come on Easter Monday at Turf Moor but before then they must host Cardiff City at Bramall Lane (17:30, Sky Sports Main Event). The Bluebirds are deep in a relegation battle, and below you can find my Sheffield United vs Cardiff predictions.

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Nobody truly knows what is going through Chris Wilder’s head right now. He went nuts at full-time at Home Park as he berated anybody who would listen and gave a team-talk to his players on the pitch as they realised the magnitude of losing three on the trot at this stage of the season. 

He made changes to his starting XI with Tom Cannon, Callum O’Hare, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Vinicius Souza and Harry Clarke handed starts, but after another loss, I truly don’t know what he is planning for this one. Tyrese Campbell will surely come in to lead the line as Cannon disappointed again, while Player of the Season nominee Gustavo Hamer should start along with Callum O’Hare and Rak-Sakyi, with the latter opening the scoring at Home Park. 

Souza doesn’t seem completely fit right now but may be forced to play alongside Sydie Peck, while Femi Seriki may come in at right-back to provide more attacking thrust.

Cardiff are in a similar situation after a devastating 1-0 home defeat to Stoke City. Getting Rubin Colwill in the starting XI surely has to be a priority now, while Ollie Tanner and Yakou Meite are also pushing for starts. Callum Robinson and Yousef Salech failed to impress up top so their spots are at risk as Omer Riza hopes to get more out of his attack. 

Calum Chambers should keep his spot in midfield while Callum O’Dowda is always a threat from left wing-back. Cardiff have to start getting wins on the board, starting on Friday.  

Sheffield United vs Cardiff Odds

Sheffield United are 4/7 to win this game having won 14 of 21 on home soil this season, giving them an implied win probability of 63%. A draw can be backed at 11/4 while Cardiff City are 9/2 to win just their third match of the season. 

Over 2.5 goals has only come in during 38% of United’s matches and that is priced at 10/11 while BTTS is 1/1. Campbell is the favourite to score first at 9/2. 

Sheffield United to win to nil @ 6/4

Even typing this out fills me with dread, but here we are. Sheffield United have lost three in a row but I have to believe that this is their lowest ebb. They simply can’t get any worse and I also think if they could have hand-picked their next fixture, it would have been to play Cardiff at home. 

The Bluebirds have won just twice away all term and unlike their relegation rivals, seem unable to arrest the slide. They’ve won just once in their last eight and that recent defeat against Stoke was a painful one that has left them in 22nd place. While Luton and Plymouth still look as though they have something to give, I’m not sure the same can be said of Cardiff, who rolled the dice on Riza earlier in the season and are now in a bit of a pickle. 

United have so much quality in their XI and despite a recent wobble, I think the sensible move is to back them to win to nil. Remember, they are playing after Burnley on Friday, so could capitalise on dropped points at 17:30. It’s win or bust for Blades. 

Tyrese Campbell to score anytime @ 8/5

The Cannon experiment is over as far as I am concerned so Campbell simply has to come back into the Sheffield United XI. He has been incredibly impressive this term and his movement and pace up front has taken the Blades to another level. Wilder shouldn’t lose faith in the man who won the Championship’s Player of the Month award in March, and Campbell can deliver against Cardiff. 

The Bluebirds have conceded 40 away goals this term and are likely to be under the cosh from the off. Campbell has scored four goals in his last eight, but he’s failed to score in his last three - so in my eyes, it’s only a matter of time before he is back amongst the goals. Let’s back him to score anytime v Cardiff. 

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