Brentford vs Sheffield United: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Brentford host Sheffield United in what will be a crucial game at the bottom of the table in the Premier League.

Date: 13/04/24

Kick-off time: 15:00

Venue: Gtech Community Stadium

With seven games to go, Sheffield United are still rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, a position they have occupied for the majority of the campaign. It has been a terrible campaign for the Blades, who are almost certainly facing immediate relegation back to the Championship. They currently have 16 points, and are nine adrift from safety, despite their recent draw against Chelsea. Whilst not mathematically confirmed yet, they will have to win most of their remaining games, which would be more than the three wins they have recorded all season.

The Bees, in contrast, have to see this game as a must win. They are 16th, but are just four points above Luton Town, who are 18th. This fixture against Sheffield United is their easiest left, and three points would give them some much needed breathing room. Any dropped points would make their position even more precarious, as both Luton and Nottingham Forest would be given the opportunity to significantly cut the small gap between them.

Chris Wilder’s side have by far the worst defence in the league and have scored the least goals. They have conceded 20 goals in their last six games, and Brentford will be confident in adding to the visitors’ woes. Thomas Frank's side have been shut out just once in their last seven, and Bryan Mbeumo’s return has given them a timely boost. There is also the threat of Ivan Toney to contend with as well, as he has scored four goals in 13 appearances.

Since 2017, these two sides have met five times, four of which came in the Championship. Sheffield United have been the dominant side, winning four of these with the other ending in a draw. Brentford will be hoping to stop this winless streak which was extended in the reverse fixture earlier this season. The Blades won 1-0 in one of their three victories this season. James McAtee scored the winner on the stroke of half-time for the hosts.

Brentford

Brentford have a number of long-term injuries but there should be some names back in the squad. Kevin Schade, Ethan Pinnock and Christian Norgaard are all hopeful to return.

Sheffield United

The Blades also have a lot of players out with long-term injuries, though none are set for an imminent return. There are no fresh injury concerns for Chris Wilder.

Brentford

In their last five games, Brentford have lost two and drawn three. It has been a winless stretch for the Bees, though they should have achieved more. The first game was a narrow 2-1 loss at Arsenal, in which Yoane Wissa scored from an Aaron Ramsdale blunder to cancel out Declan Rice’s opener. Kai Havertz scored the winner late on.

They followed this up with another 2-1 scoreline, but they were reduced to 10 men after just eight minutes as Sergio Reguilon saw red for a challenge in the box. Jacob Bruun Larsen scored from the resulting penalty and the lead was doubled in the second half through loanee David Datro Fofana. Kristoffer Ajer pulled one back but they could not find the equaliser.

A dramatic 1-1 draw against Man United at home should have resulted in three points. They attempted a whopping 31 shots, though only five of them were on target. It was United who thought they had snatched victory in the sixth minute of stoppage time through Mason Mount, but Brentford responded almost immediately with Ajer grabbing the leveller to share the points.

The search for a win continued at home but they were held to a goalless draw by Brighton. The visitors dominated, but neither side could find the breakthrough. Their most recent game was a thrilling 3-3 draw at Aston Villa. Ollie Watkins put Villa ahead against his former team, before Morgan Rogers doubled their advantage shortly after the restart. The Bees then scored three goals in nine minutes to turn the game on its head. They could not hold on though, as Watkins netted his second of the afternoon.

Sheffield United

In their last five games, Sheffield United have lost two and drawn three. The league’s bottom side are continuing to search for a win, but they have picked up a couple of points in this stretch. It began with a crushing 6-0 home defeat to Arsenal, in which they were 4-0 down after 25 minutes. Goals from Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Jayden Bogle, who converted into his own net, preceded further strikes from Declan Rice and Ben White.

They responded to this thrashing by picking up a point away at Bournemouth. However, they should have left with more given they had taken a 2-0 lead through Gustavo Hamer and Jack Robinson. With 15 minutes to go, Dango Ouattara pulled one back, before Enes Unal equalised in stoppage time. Another blown lead meant that they dropped more points from a leading position against Fulham. They went ahead in the second half with a goal from Ben Brereton Diaz, but Joao Palhinha levelled it four minutes later. Oli McBurnie helped them retake the lead which was added to by Brereton Diaz’ second to make it 3-1 with 20 minutes remaining. Bobby De Cordova-Reid pulled another back, before the comeback was complete when Rodrigo Muniz scored a stunning goal to equalise.

A tricky trip to Anfield followed, though it was not as one-sided as first expected. Liverpool took the lead as Darwin Nunez capitalised on a mistake by Blades keeper Ivo Grbic, but this was cancelled out by a Conor Bradley own goal shortly after the restart. The hosts’ quality shone through with a brilliant strike from Alexis Mac Allister putting them back ahead with Cody Gakpo adding insurance late on. Their most recent game was a home fixture against Chelsea. They drew 2-2 as they came from behind twice, with goals from Bogle and McBurnie.

Brentford will be desperate to win this game at home, and we expect them to do so. Sheffield United’s search for a victory will continue as the Bees should have too much for them – Brentford 2-0 Sheffield United

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Brentford vs Sheffield United will not be available to watch on TV in the UK.

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