Sheffield United vs Rochdale predictions, betting tips & match preview

Favourites to win and get promoted from League One this season, Sheffield United have lost both domestic games so far. They lost away to Bolton last weekend in the league and lost in extra time to Crewe mid week in the cup.

Rochdale have had a slightly better story to tell up until now. They lost in the league at home to Peterborough last Saturday. However, despite that loss, they beat Chesterfield 3-1 at home in the League Cup on Tuesday night.

Neither side particularly inspires for the win here, at least on recent form anyway. However, the hosts know that they need to pick things up quickly if they are to live up to the expectations that have been set upon them this season. They played well in mid-week against Crewe before losing in extra time, but today they need to put in an all-round performance in order to come out on top.

One positive the hosts can draw upon is their superior record against Rochdale. The hosts have beaten Rochdale every time they’ve faced them at home. Although both teams lost last weekend, Sheffield United lost better. If there is such a thing. In other words they were narrowly edged out against Bolton and actually played some decent football. On the other hand, while Rochdale weren’t demolished, they did look very poor at the back and conceding three at home is really bad going.

Overall, it is fancied that Sheffield United have the superior defence and, in front of a home crowd, they can use this to their advantage and thus claim their first victory of the season.