- Stoke have won three of their last five games (D1, L1) including two of their last two at home (W2)
- Sheffield United have won three of their last five (D1, L1) and have been in better form on the road (W1, D2)
- Stoke have not beaten the Blades in their last five meetings and have failed to win their last two at home to the South Yorkshire side.
Similar records set for a tight Bet365 Stadium clash
Stoke have ten points from seven games in the Championship 2026/2027 campaign to sit a point ahead of the Blades in 13th with nine from six, so the form guides are similar ahead of Saturday's early Championship kick-off at Bet365 Stadium.
Chris Wilder's side have beaten Bolton 3-2 at home, lost 3-1 to Norwich there and then edged past Blackburn 2-1 away in their last three games. Mark Robins' men have taken four points from their last two, having held Cardiff to a 1-1 draw at Cardiff City Stadium before beating Watford 2-1 at Vicarage Road.
The home side have looked disciplined in a four-man block in the main this season and can build from the back in an organised fashion. The visitors operate a more high-tempo system where the wing-backs push on and the three centre-backs are more involved, which should make for an interesting tactical battle at Bet365 Stadium.
Blades have the edge on current form and in head-to-heads
Patrick Bamford has two goals in five Championship 2026/2027 appearances for Sheffield United and remains their main outlet. Thomas Cannon has also been in good nick, scoring three of the Blades' ten goals in their last five, while Ethan Galbraith has been Stoke's most prolific player with three from six in 2026/27.
The South Yorkshire club have the better of the recent head-to-heads, winning each of the last five, and beat Stoke 2-1 away from home eight months ago. That's why the visitors look a touch better value at 73/50 for this Saturday's clash than the hosts at 43/25, although the draw is still attractive at 47/20.
Both teams to score seems attractive at 13/20, but the under 2.5 goals price of 93/100 also looks appealing because this could be a cagey affair. The Potters average 2.00 goals per game at home in this campaign, while conceding just 0.67 and will do all they can to frustrate a good away record for Sheffield United, who have scored four times in three games away from Bramall Lane.
It's close to call, but the fact that the visiting Blades are unbeaten on the road (W1, D2) and have dominated this fixture of late, leads us to believe they are the likelier winners.
