Sheffield Utd – Hull City

Contrary to bookmakers’ betting odds, visitors will take points from favourites

Before the 28th round, the situation at the top of the Championship table is fairly straightforward. Burnley are in first place, five points ahead of Sheffield United. "The Blades, on the other hand, are eleven points ahead of third-placed Watford. This tournament position allows both leaders to play without much pressure and high responsibility for the result. For these clubs, the biggest threat at the moment comes from opponents who have little to lose in terms of standings. Hull City, who are set to take to the pitch at Bremell Lane Stadium in Sheffield on Friday, are among them. The bookmakers, of course, have identified the home side as the favourites, offering odds of 1.60 for them to win. Sheffield United are having a fairly even season, but they are not without their faults either. In October, for example, the Blades suffered a six-match winless streak in which they lost three times. Later, the team got their game under control and are now one of the most consistent teams in the division. Another thing is that it is quite challenging to keep the bar high in the Championship, because there is a roughly equal squad. Already this year, Sheffield United could have lost their first game, but they bounced back in the 90+6 minute match against CRC. In the last meeting, the Blades scored three goals after three shots on goal from Stoke City, which enabled them to win. Hull City sit modestly in 16th place in the standings. That said, the Tigers' current position is directly linked with a poor showing before mid-October last year, when the team even had five straight defeats. After the World Cup break, Hull City returned to the Championship with a six-match winning streak that is still in force today. Last round, the Tigers showed their willpower, scoring against Huddersfield on 90+8 minutes thanks to another goal from Estupignan, the second top scorer in the Championship. Certainly, character will come in handy for the Tigers in the upcoming meeting to pick up points. Last year, the rivals played two head-to-head meetings that saw a draw and a win for Sheffield City. However, Hull City are now showing their best form of the current season, which will allow them not to lose.