- Team form: Stoke average 2.00 goals per home match in the Championship 2026-2027. They are both defensively sound with just 0.67 goals per home game conceded by Stoke. Stoke have failed to beat Sheffield United in their last 5 meetings and have not won their last 2 home games against Saturday's visitors. Sheffield United are unbeaten away this season with 1 win and 2 draws. Stoke have won 2 of their 3 home games.
Stoke have found a formula
Recent form
Stoke have taken 4 points from their last 2 games, holding Cardiff to a 1-1 draw away from home before beating Watford 2-1 at Bet365 Stadium. They are 9th in the Championship 2026/2027 table, 1 point ahead of Sheffield United in 13th after 7 and 6 games respectively.
Tactics
Mark Robins has settled on a patient, structured and disciplined four-man shape that is well-suited to the personnel at his disposal. The Potters can be compact at the back and build up play through the thirds with a good balance of creativity and strength up front.
Blades have a good record against Potters
Recent results
The Blades have had mixed results in their last 5 (W3 D1 L1) but 2 of those games came against promotion candidates Norwich and Bolton, with the Blades beating Bolton 3-2 at home before Paul Heckingbottom's side returned the favour by beating Blackburn 2-1 away from home last weekend.
Style of play
Chris Wilder's side operate a more high-tempo system with 3 at the back, wing-backs who push forward and central players that play off the centre-forward in transitions.
- Ethan Galbraith, who has 3 goals in 6 Championship 2026/2027 games, is the most prolific of a group of attackers that are all capable of making things happen.
- Thomas Cannon has been in good form, with 3 goals in his last 5 appearances, giving the Blades a chance to nick a goal away from home.
- Both teams to score looks live at 1.65, but I'm leaning towards the under 2.5 goals at 1.93 as this has the feel of a close and tense matchup.
Wilder’s wing-backs can cause Stoke problems
Stoke will try to contain Sheffield United's wide players on Saturday and keep things tight at the back. The visitors will try to create chances through their overloaded wings and it should lead to a lively game.
The draw is coming in at 3.35, which seems short considering Sheffield United are 2.46 and Stoke 2.72.
Sheffield United are on a 5-game unbeaten run against Stoke, winning 2-1 here 8 months ago, so I'm giving them the edge to edge it on Saturday.
