Sheffield Utd vs Preston prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-04-28 14:00.
It’s mission accomplished for Sheffield United, after a 2-0 win over West Brom on Wednesday night saw the Blades seal a Premier League return at the second attempt. Reflecting their determination under Paul Heckingbottom, it took the club 12 years on each of the previous two occasions (2005/06 & 2018/19) they celebrated a top-flight return!
All that’s left on Sheffield United’s agenda is to break the Championship’s existing record points tally for a runner up (93). They can only do that by winning all of their remaining games, but with the Blades’ last five wins seeing them nail down a clean sheet and/or a multi-goal margin of victory, they have undeniably shown the skill needed at both ends to achieve that small bonus accolade.
Visitors Preston will hope to capitalise on any sloppiness in the wake of the Yorkshire side’s post-midweek celebrations. Successfully doing so – and ending a three-match winless run (D1, L2) – will take their push for a top-six finish into the regular-season finale, although it’s been 18 years since the Lilywhites last went on to reach the promotion playoff final.
However, they could just as easily be out of playoff contention before matchday 46, especially as they travel following three multi-goal margin defeats in four road trips. All three of those saw an early goal against Preston and a half-time deficit, with Swansea taking less than 120 seconds to breach them on the most recent occasion.
Players to watch: Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge netted the midweek opener against West Brom, making his previous two goals decisive. But Preston’s Tom Cannon has been on a real hot streak lately, with the Everton loanee striking in each of the Lilywhites’ six most recent victories, including four occasions where he scored their first of the day.
Hot stat: In the Championship this term, Sheffield United have opened the scoring at home inside 15 minutes on more occasions than any other side (eight).