Sheffield Utd vs Birmingham prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2022-09-30 14:00.
Sheffield United entered the international break with a three-point lead at the Championship summit after going unbeaten across their last nine league matches (W7, D2). Used to front-running, Paul Heckingbottom’s side have led five of the last seven of those games 1-0 at the break, helping to make this their best ten-game second-tier start since 2005/06, a campaign which ended in promotion.
While the Blades have been incisive upfront, they’ve also managed to blunt their opponents at Bramall Lane, where they’ve conceded only once in the league this term (W4). A milestone is on the horizon too, as victory here would also see Sheffield United notch five straight competitive home wins for the first time since another promotion-winning campaign in 2018/19.
That season saw Birmingham City draw 0-0 here, and they may fancy their chances of securing a repeat given they’re on a three-game unbeaten run (W1, D2), including a fine 3-2 win over rivals West Bromwich Albion. This fixture was first played back in 1892, and although the overall H2H stakes are close (BIR: W47, D22, L43), the Blues have only lost one of the last seven meetings (W3, D3).
That includes a four-match unbeaten H2H run at this ground (W2, D2) and following two consecutive away league wins, Birmingham are now chasing a three-match unbeaten Championship away streak for the first time since August 2021. Coincidentally, that started with the Blues winning here 1-0 and scoring first could be important again, as not since May 2021 has the side to draw first blood in a Birmingham away league fixture subsequently lost.
Players to watch: Oli McBurnie has scored in four of Sheffield United’s last five fixtures, on each occasion netting the game’s first or second goal. Meanwhile ex-Sheffield United loanee turned Birmingham scoring sensation Scott Hogan has netted four times across their last four games, twice opening the scoring.
Hot stat: Sheffield United have scored after the 70th minute in five of their last six Championship games (W5, D1).