Sheffield United welcome Bristol City to Bramall Lane on Monday night for the second leg of their Championship play-offs.
The home side hold a 3-0 lead from the first leg, and our football tipster and resident EFL guru James O’Rourke reckons plenty of goals are on the menu here. Let’s get into his Sheffield United v Bristol City betting tips.
James has got two player picks in here, too, which is covered by Paddy’s Super Sub offer, meaning if a player is substituted, the pick carries over to his replacement. Let’s get his tips.
Sheffield United v Bristol City Bet Builder tips
Over 1.5 Sheffield United goals
Sydie Peck to commit 2+ fouls
Anis Mehmeti to have 1+ shots on target
A goal scored in both halves, yes
WHEN: Monday, 12th of May, 8pm
WHERE: Bramall Lane
TV: Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Football
Over 1.5 Sheffield United goals
On one hand, it could be argued that the priority for Sheffield United in this second leg is not to concede. After all, they already have a 3-0 advantage from the first leg to their name.
However, the game situation could and should present them with more potential scoring opportunities than, say, a normal league clash. Bristol City have to go for this and cannot really afford to nurse their way into this contest. The home side, therefore, may get some counter-attacking phase to really expose a rather desperate opponent. The Blades are ranked third in the Championship for goals scored on the break.
There is simply no need for United to sit back and be too cautious here. Doing so only invites pressure onto themselves and invites the chance of making this tie somewhat nervous. Managing a three-goal lead can be a little strange, but Chris Wilder’s side are at home and will really want to hammer down their spot at Wembley.
They’ve netted two or more goals in five of their last 11 played at Bramall Lane. They play an opponent that has won only once in 14 on the road, including losing their last two 4-0 and 3-1.
Sydie Peck to commit 2+ fouls
Sydie Peck has enjoyed something of a breakthrough season under Chris Wilder. This is his first real full season of regularly playing at senior level. He has probably taken advantage of injuries elsewhere to break into the team, but it is all down to him in terms of keeping himself in the starting eleven.
The 20-year-old also tends to wear his heart on his sleeve, meaning another typically competitive and robust performance is expected from the former Arsenal youngster. There are going to be times, most likely early on, when Bristol City have their spells in this game. They need three goals after all. In these periods, the Blades’ midfield is likely to be tested.
Liam Manning’s side likes to play through the thirds, so the likes of Peck will be pressing and chasing, trying to regain possession and kick-start counterattacks. With that being the case, fouls have to be on the cards. Peck has committed two or more fouls in four of the last eight matches that he has started, so he has form in the book.
Only three other members of the Sheff United roster are ahead of Peck in the fouls committed list in league action, which demonstrates the type of player and character that he is. With a Wembley final on the line, Peck will be especially eager to drive his team over the line, so emotions could be high.
Anis Mehmeti to have 1+ shots on target
Heading to Bramall Lane knowing you need to win by three goals just to take this to extra time is clearly a bit of a daunting prospect for the Robins. However, this is an opportunity to create something special, so no Bristol City player will be travelling believing the comeback is not possible. They have nothing to lose after all.
Liam Manning’s team selection, therefore, simply has to be an attacking one. With that being the case, Anis Mehmeti is expected to retain his place in the side. The Albanian is their top league scorer with 12 goals after all.
Not only does the former Wycombe man top the scoring charts for the club, but he also leads the shots and shots on target categories as well. This is a player who is more than prepared to have a go at goal if the chance presents itself.
He has the occasional spectacular goal in his locker, too, so don’t be shocked to see him fire some attempts from distance. His manager will likely encourage this, if not early on, but certainly later on if they’re still in need of a goal or two.
The 24-year-old has been in and out of the team recently, which no doubt would have frustrated him. With this being the case, Mehmeti will be super keen on impressing and making a big impression. He has been without a goal since March, but with the shackles off, the attacking midfielder could thrive here, especially as the expectation is already present for his team to be knocked out of the tie from this position.
A goal scored in both halves, yes
This contest really could really boil into life. An early goal would certainly raise those prospects. My feeling is that Bristol City do find a way of scoring in this second leg, and ideally for them, it’ll come quite early.
That would install a degree of panic in the Sheff United ranks and give the visitors real hope of completing what feels like an impossible task to many.
At the same time, you just cannot imagine the home team not getting chances of their own, either. Attack could be their best form of defence, and you just know manager Chris Wilder won’t ask his side to merely protect their 3-0 advantage.
In 2025, all but six of Sheff United’s games played in the league included a first-half goal. For Bristol City, it is all bar eight of their last 23 played. The need to score at least three goals requires the away side to start this clash very quickly. They may open the scoring through applying this pressure, but at the same time, Wilder’s men could also penetrate the likely greater space to extend their advantage on the break.
The second half could be anything, as City will still have to really throw everything at this, assuming they haven’t already built up a commanding lead in the opening 45 minutes. The home crowd won’t take too kindly to their team sitting back too much here, but they should get the chance to manage the game to suit, which won’t necessarily mean not trying to score more goals themselves.
Bristol City v Sheffield United betting tips
Over 1.5 Sheffield United goals
Sydie Peck to commit 2+ fouls
Anis Mehmeti to have 1+ shots on target
A goal scored in both halves, yes
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
READ MORE
The latest football odds are on PaddyPower.com now
THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
