- Team form: Sheffield United are unbeaten in 5 (W3, D2) ahead of this Tuesday's EFL Cup matchup.
- Opposition form: Blackburn Rovers have a mixed record in their last 5 (W2, D2, L1) across all competitions.
- Away form: The Blades have won 5 and drawn 2 of their last 7 away games across all competitions.
Back the Blades to go well against a wily Championship foe
The oddsmakers have favourites for Tuesday's game, but there is nothing to suggest that a solid, well-organised Sheffield United side are anything but a bit of a value at 2.54 ahead of this early-season Championship barometer against Blackburn Rovers, who are 2.65 to win at Ewood Park.
The game should be a good test of both clubs' respective philosophies as Tony Mowbray's Rovers are a 4-2-3-1 side that like to control possession, spread the ball wide and pick openings against teams that sit deep or try to pressure them into a mistake, while Chris Wilder's Blades are built to pressure the build-up, win the ball back and move it forward quickly. The contest of possession and width versus pressure and transition should make for an interesting evening, and whichever side dictates the tempo is likely to have the upper hand.
Rovers can shift gears and make their own space
Rovers' approach and recent form
Mowbray's side are capable of both patient and rapid build-up play and have a clear structure when they do sit in a mid-block and try to counter-attack. Rovers' players are skilled enough to go through a sequence of 3-4 passes on the flanks and create their own openings.
- Rovers have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1 of their last 5 matches and are in reasonable nick for a team that is still getting to know each other.
- Last month's 2-2 away draw with Wolves was a fine performance, as was the 1-2 EFL Cup win at Burton Albion.
- The draw was Rovers' second Championship game without victory at home this season, with the other fixture, a 0-2 loss to Reading, seeing them concede both goals.
- The visitors will be up for it.
Blades' form and outlook
Sheffield United have won 3 and drawn 2 of their last 5 and are coming off a 0-3 away win at Mansfield Town in the EFL Cup followed by a 0-0 home draw with Birmingham City in the Championship.
The last 3 meetings in the second tier have all been very close, with Rovers winning one, United taking another and one finishing all square. But the home team are winless in their two most recent at Ewood and the visitors will be aware they can spoil their day.
Wilder's team are built to play aggressive football and, although they have been unbeaten of late, we think they can find a way to put some pressure on the hosts and throw them off their rhythm. They are much better than the current odds suggest and look the best bet in the outright market to at least avoid defeat.
