Sheffield Utd – Burnley

Fans will see a first-half goal in the tourney’s centrepiece encounter

In the central confrontation of the 23rd game day, the clubs with the best defence in the Championship will meet. The hosts have conceded 11 goals in 22 meetings (0.5 goals per game on average), while the visitors have conceded 9 goals in the same period (0.41). In addition, Sheffield United and Burnley are recognised contenders for outright promotion. In their fight, according to analysts, only Leeds United can seriously squeeze in. Rivals for the meeting in Sheffield together fell out of the Premier League at the end of the last draw. The only difference was that the "Blades" left the elite division completely unwillingly and long before the previous round, and the "maroon" had the opportunity to cling to the saving positions almost to the very finish of the championship. Bookmakers have identified the hosts as favourites for the upcoming meeting, offering odds of 2.39 on their victory. Sheffield United before the next match takes sole possession of first place in the Championship, ahead of the nearest pursuer in the face of Leeds on three points. "Blades" show phenomenal results in their arena. In nine home matches Sheffield only once lost points. It took place in the first game of the season in the home walls, held four months ago. The last eight matches at Bremell Lane ended with Sheffield United winning without conceding a single goal with a total goal difference of 14-0. An impregnable fortress in the form of their own stadium and helps the "Blades" to stay at the top of the standings, to be confident in their abilities even before the meeting with such an opponent as Burnley. "Bordeaux" will come to storm this fortress in a great mood and good form. The last nine rounds of the Championship brought Burnley 21 points, formed by six wins and three draws. One fact should confuse fans of the visiting team - in the last four rounds, the "maroon" have conceded a third of all goals from the sum of goals conceded for the entire championship. Three goals in the average view of the whole Championship seems a trifle, because here they sometimes concede four or five per match. However, an increase in the number of misfires in defence could change the scoreboard at Bremell Lane as early as the start of the game in Sheffield.