Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Championship match.
Sheffield United must be wary of a Preston North End side that recently dismantled Burnley (3:0)—a team known for their defensive resilience. Sheffield United themselves have endured their fair share of home humiliations, including a bruising defeat against Hull City earlier in the year.
Sheffield United
That shocking home loss to Hull City (0:3) was on 24 January. Since then, Sheffield United have won two home matches, though they have also fallen short against Leeds United—a significantly stronger opponent. They remain in the hunt for automatic promotion, but their defensive vulnerability is becoming a concern. They have conceded in four of their last five games, but, in most cases, it’s no more than one goal.
Preston North End
Preston’s victory over Burnley (3:0) came in the FA Cup, where they exploited the absence of Burnley’s first-choice keeper, James Trafford. While his replacement didn’t have a disaster, the result might have been different with Trafford in goal. In the Championship, Preston’s attacking output has been modest. They have scored just once in six of their last matches, yet they don’t concede many either—leading to under 2.5 goals landing in four of those six games.
Sheffield United vs Preston North End Prediction
While Sheffield United have shown signs of moving away from their usual 1:0 or 2:0 results, this fixture feels like a return to type. Preston’s low shot volume (fourth-worst in the league at 10.5 shots per game, and just 9 per match away from home) means their attacking threat is minimal. Expect a tight, low-scoring affair.
