- Sheffield United are unbeaten in 7 away games across all competitions (4 wins, 3 draws), averaging 1.57 goals per game.
- Fleetwood are unbeaten in 10 matches across all competitions (4 wins, 6 draws), and have turned the EFL Cup into a stubborn grind.
- Sheffield United average just 0.57 goals per away game conceded.
A tale of two solid teams
There isn't much between these two sides on paper, but Sheffield United are the bookmakers' favourites at 63/100, as opposed to 77/20 for Fleetwood and 3/1 for the draw. These two teams are as different as night and day. Fleetwood have made the League Cup a battle of attrition, while Sheffield United are looking for turnovers and trying to keep the ball in the opposition third.
Fleetwood are undefeated in 7 at home this season, winning 3 and drawing 4, averaging just 0.43 goals a game conceded. Sheffield United are undefeated in 7 away from home across all competitions, averaging 1.57 goals a game scored and just 0.57 conceded.
Two solid systems doing battle
Matt Lawlor's men have been very solid at home this term, sitting deep and compact in either a 3-1-4-2 or 3-4-1-2 system. They're a physical bunch and have made it hard to break them down all season long. Their last 5 matches have produced two wins and three draws, an impressive run which has been built on resilience and determination rather than free-flowing football.
The Cod Army's last 3 League Two 2026/2027 matches were a 2-2 draw at Grimsby Town, a 1-1 draw at home to Oldham Athletic, and a 2-0 win at home to Shrewsbury Town. They will look to sit deep and make it a counter-attacking match against the Blades, a tactic which has worked well for them in the previous rounds.
Bigger fish to fry for the Blades
Sheffield United are the better of the two teams on paper, but Chris Wilder's side still have plenty of bigger fish to fry. The visitors are solid, consistent, and haven't exactly got the better of the lower league teams so far, although they're not in the habit of being turned over.
The away team have 5 wins, 4 draws and just 1 defeat in their last 10 across all competitions, and will look to carry the ball and press Fleetwood higher up the pitch in this one.
The game within the game
The last 5 matches of Sheffield United have produced 3 wins and 1 draw, while they suffered a home loss to Norwich City, so that is a potential problem here. Thomas Cannon has been in form for Sheffield United with 3 goals in 5, while the Blades have found the net 10 times during that same period. This is a tough game to call, but on the balance of things, Sheffield United should just have the edge here, although Fleetwood will make this a battle of endurance rather than a walkover. Both teams to score looks live at 7/10, but I'm going to take Under 2.5 goals at 23/20, which also fits a tighter cup contest.
