Sheffield United vs Coventry Predictions

• Both teams have not scored in five of Sheffield United’s last seven Championship games.
• Both teams have not scored in six of Coventry’s last seven Championship games.
• Coventry have kept clean sheets in five of their last six away league games.

Blades may not be a cut above Coventry

Sheffield United are in for a real test from an in-form Coventry side when the two promotion-chasing clubs meet at Bramall Lane on Boxing Day. The Blades sit second in the table on the back of some consistent displays over the course of the campaign, but even Paul Heckingbottom’s side cannot claim to be as clinical as Coventry right now.

Only leaders Burnley have collected more points from their last dozen games as Mark Robins’ side have marched from the bottom six to the fringe of the playoff positions. They picked up a fifth win in their last seven games by scoring the only goal of a tight home encounter with West Brom on Wednesday.

During that run, they have kept five clean sheets and conceded just four goals. They have the highest clean sheet percentage in the division with their opponents blanked in exactly half of their games with the Blades not too far behind them on 43%.

Sky Blues’ stats reveal clean sheet potential

Those stats feed into the perception that the two well-structured defences will be on top. Fewer than three strikes looks highly likely given these two clubs are hitting under 2.5 goals in 61% and 68% of their games respectively.

At this point in time the clubs’ respective ratio of games where both teams do not score is exactrloy the same in both cases. So, with better odds generally available about BTTS – no than Under 2.5 goals, that becomes the main bet recommendation because of value.

A 1-0 Coventry win is the preferred correct score play because the Sky Blues have won to nil in three of their last four away games while five of the Blades’ six defeats in all competitions this season have been by a 1-0 scoreline.