Birmingham v Sheffield United: tips, odds and betting preview

TV: Sky Sports Football, 7.45pm Wednesday

Birmingham eased their relegation worries with a well-deserved win over promotion-chasing Leeds last weekend but their Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United should pose a far tougher test at St Andrew's.

The Blues, dragged into the dogfight at the bottom after a nine-point deduction and five straight defeats, bemused punters by seeing off highflying Leeds with some ease.

But a no-show from the Whites doesn’t mean United are going to be any more compliant and Chris Wilder’s men look well worthy of support.

Wilder’s men are flying with just one defeat in 12 games and four straight away clean sheets.

They are proving incredibly tough to play against with a 3-5-2 set-up in which the centre-backs are invited to get forward as much as the wing-backs. You can bet that United will be every bit as innovative as Leeds were sterile a week ago.

Garry Monk’s men coped well with the United threat at Bramall Lane in September, holding out for a 0-0 draw.

But the confidence in Wilder’s dressing room is through the roof and it’s hard to see them slipping up.

They’ll be buoyed by the fact that City midfield supremo Maikel Kieftenbeld is injured.

City will look to former Bramall Lane favourite Che Adams for inspiration in the final third. Adams has 22 in the league, one fewer than opposite number Billy Sharp, but he has bagged only one in his last eight games.

Sky Bet Championship standings

Recommendation
Sheffield United
1pt 5-4 Betfred

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Birmingham
Midfielder Maikel Kieftenbeld, who was carried off against Leeds, is out for the season.

Sheffield Utd
Gary Madine returns from a ban. Centre-back Jack O’Connell (calf) is a doubt.

Key stat
Sheffield United have kept four straight away clean sheets.

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