Bristol City vs Sheffield United predictions, betting tips and odds: Blades can gain the upper hand

Where to watch Bristol City vs Sheffield United

You can watch Bristol City vs Sheffield United at 8pm on Thursday, May 8, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.

Bristol City vs Sheffield United prediction & best bet

Sheffield United draw no bet
1pt 20-23 BoyleSports

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Bristol City vs Sheffield United odds

Here are the latest odds ahead of Bristol City vs Sheffield United in the Championship playoffs:

Odds correct at time of publishing

Want more top football betting advice? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Sport's tips for more of the latest picks from our experts.

Bristol City vs Sheffield United predictions

Sheffield United have been modestly rewarded for finishing on 90 points with a place in the Championship playoffs, but they remain confident of securing promotion and can edge a step closer by defeating Bristol City in their semi-final first-leg clash at Ashton Gate.

Experienced manager Chris Wilder is 17 months into his second spell in the Sheffield United hot seat and can be satisfied by the progress made.

The 57-year-old was in charge for a large chunk of last season's dismal Premier League campaign, which yielded just 16 points and featured 28 defeats, but he set about reshaping the squad last summer and it soon became clear that a serious push for promotion was on the cards.

Sheffield United won 28 league games – only one less than champions Leeds – and their total of 43 away points was second only to second-placed Burnley.

The Yorkshire side's resilient streak on the road was seen during last November's 2-1 triumph at Bristol City when they fell behind to Anis Mehmeti's 75th-minute penalty before turning the contest around with late strikes from Ryan One and Harrison Burrows.

Wilder is anticipating another tough test in the West Country, but has a largely healthy squad to select from and the mood should be positive after last Saturday's dominant 1-1 draw at home to playoff hopefuls Blackburn.

That stalemate did a huge favour for Bristol City, who went into their final game at home to relegation-threatened Preston as one of five teams vying for the last two available playoff places.

The Robins came from two goals behind behind to draw 2-2 at home to the lowly Lilywhites but were let off the hook by Blackburn's failure to win at Bramall Lane and Millwall's 3-1 defeat away to Burnley.

News of an extended season was greeted with jubilation from Bristol City supporters eager to see their team ascend to the top flight for the first time since 1980.

However, the poor performance against Preston continued a recent downward trend which raises major doubts over the club's playoff prospects.

Liam Manning's side limped over the line in the top-six race, taking one point from their final three games, and they appear ill-equipped for the tougher battles to come.

City's 68-point tally is the lowest of any second-tier playoff contender since Leicester secured sixth spot with the same number of points in 2012-13.

It took a famous breakaway goal from Watford's Troy Deeney to end the Foxes' challenge, but there could be rather less drama in store for Bristol City, who may have a deficit to overcome when heading to Bramall Lane for next Monday's second leg.

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Key stat

Sheffield United are unbeaten in their last seven matches against Bristol City.

Bristol City vs Sheffield United team news

Bristol City
Ayman Benarous (hamstring) has missed the entire campaign and Luke McNally (leg) hasn't featured since February. Cameron Pring and Harry Cornick (both hamstring) are doubts and Mark Sykes (quad) is sidelined.

Sheffield United
Harry Souttar (Achilles) and Ollie Arblaster (knee) are out of contention and Femi Seriki (shoulder) misses out after he was injured in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn.

Bristol City vs Sheffield United predicted line-ups

Bristol City (3-4-2-1): O'Leary; Tanner, Dickie, Vyner; Hirakawa, Williams, Knight, McCrorie; Bird, Mehmeti; Wells.
Subs: Twine, Roberts, McGuane, Earthy, Armstrong, Bell, Morrison.

Sheffield United (4-2-3-1): Cooper; Gilchrist, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Burrows; Vinicius Souza, Peck; Brereton, O'Hare, Hamer; Campbell.
Subs: Holding, Brewster, Cannon, Moore, T Davies, McCallum, Brooks.

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Bristol City vs Sheffield United Bet Builder player stats

Stats refer to league games only; does not include unavailable players

Bristol City vs Sheffield United bet builder predictions

Sheffield United or draw double chance
The Blades haven't lost at Ashton Gate since 2018 and they can secure another positive result at the West Country venue.

Tyrese Campbell to score any time
The livewire striker has had the best season of his career and looks ready to make a big impact in the playoffs.

Ross McCrorie to be carded
McCrorie has been carded ten times in 23 league appearances and looks overpriced to increase his caution tally.

Pays out at 16-1 with Paddy Power

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