Sheffield Utd – Luton Town

Second team in the championship will not be able to win

A month ago, intrigue at the top of the Championship table was out of the question. Burnley and Sheffield United had created a head start over their pursuers, occupying both positions that would give them direct promotion rights. But while Burnley have managed to maintain stability and by early March continue to lead the league unchallenged, the Blades have given up quite badly and could well lose their second position. Luton Town are one of those clubs capable of "helping" Sheffield Wednesday do just that. "The Hatterboys" are in fifth place ten points away from their upcoming opponents before travelling to the Bremell Lane Stadium and are extremely motivated to consolidate their position in the play-off zone. The bookmakers have expectedly identified the home side as the favourites for the upcoming meeting with odds of 2.0 to win. Over the last month, previously comfortably in second place, Sheffield United have started to systematically fail. Since February 15, the Blades have played five games in the Championship, with three losses and two wins. It is particularly frustrating for Heckingbottom's team that they have all been defeated by potential rivals Blackburn Rovers, Millwall and Middlesbrough. The only real respite for the Blades during this period was an FA Cup victory over Tottenham, which gave them a ticket to the quarter-finals. Luton Town ended the league season rather sensationally in the play-off zone. Having failed to succeed there, the Hatters confirmed their level in the current championship and in fifth place are already looking pretty harmonious. In the last nine rounds of the Championship, Luton Town have lost just once. And that was in defeat to the league leader, conceding the only goal of the match on penalties. Last Saturday, the Hatterboys hosted Swansea and, despite a modest 1-0 scoreline, soundly defeated them. It is also worth highlighting the last match in February, in which the Luton players showed serious grit. Losing to Millwall 0-2, the team levelled the score towards the end of the game. Given Sheffield United's current fortunes, it must be acknowledged that they will be a close contest at Bremell Lane, so we should bet that Luton Town will pick up at least one point.