Sheffield United vs Barnet Predictions

Things have gone well for Sheffield United over the last few weeks or so. The Blades treated their fans to a Boxing Day gift by beating Derby 3-1 on home soil, while they’ve since won twice more, beating Blackburn first and then Wigan on Boxing Day. After three encouraging victories, Chris Wilder’s men will be looking to continue moving in the right direction by progressing in the FA Cup.

It’s hard to criticise what Sheffield United have done in recent times, as they’ve hardly put a foot wrong. The Blades have won each of their last three matches with a degree of comfort. They’ve been creating plenty in the final third, while they’ve been giving very little away at the other end.

In addition to their pleasing recent form, Chris Wilder’s men have once again made Bramall Lane as tough place to visit this season. Only three teams have returned from Sheffield with all three points this season, two of which currently sit inside the top four in the Championship. The Blades have scored plenty of goals at home, they’ve created plenty of chances and have outperformed their opponents in terms of expected goals in nine of their 13 home matches.

The fact that Sheffield United have scored at least three goals in each of their last two home matches bodes well ahead of a match against non-league opposition.

Barnet aren’t exactly thriving at their own level during the current campaign, so it’s tough to feel too optimistic about the chances of the visitors ahead of this match. The Londoners would’ve been hoping to make a quick return to the Football League, though as they currently sit 14^th in the National League, it seems as though they’re set for at least another season in non-league football.

In the previous round, Barnet done very well to get the better of League One’s Bristol Rovers, though they certainly had luck on their side. On that occasion, Sunday’s visitors shipped 2.24 expected goals, which doesn’t exactly bode well ahead of a match against much better opposition. Lucky or not, the Bees did well to come through against higher-level opponents but facing a struggling League One is significantly different to taking on a top-three Championship side.

Given that Barnet gave plenty away against Bristol Rovers in the previous round, coupled with the fact that Sheffield United have looked very strong in the final third of late, the bet that stands out is ‘Sheffield United to Score Over 2.5 Goals’. Having notched three times and recorded 2.58 expected goals against Blackburn in the Championship last time out, the hosts are backed to fill their boots against non-league opponents.