Sheffield United vs Brighton Prediction And Betting Tips

Sheffield United host Brighton in a huge game for their chances of survival. The hosts will be hoping to close the gap between themselves and safety.

• Sheffield United and Brighton to Draw @ 16/5 with William Hill
• Both Teams to Score @ 8/13 with William Hill
• Over 1.5 goals @ 1/7 with Paddy Power

These odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

• Date: 18/02/24
• Kick-off time: 14:00
• Venue: Bramall Lane

Sheffield United currently sit bottom of the Premier League table with 13 points. They had looked destined for an immediate return to the Championship, but a win against Luton has given them the slightest glimmer of belief. They still remain seven points off Luton, who also have a game in hand, but Chris Wilder will hope that this latest result can give them some momentum heading into a crucial stretch of the season.

Brighton, in contrast, are looking to secure a second straight season of European football. In ninth, they are a point behind both Newcastle and West Ham, who occupy seventh and eighth. Further forward, Man United are in sixth, and they trail them by six points. A win could see them climb the table, but defeat could open the door to those below them.

The Blades have by far the league’s worst defence, conceding 60 in 24 games this season. They also possess the worst attack, with only 22 goals scored. Brighton should fancy their chances of scoring, but they have been inconsistent in front of goal as of late, and home advantage could have a big impact for the hosts. If Sheffield United are to get anything from this game, they will have to keep it tight at the back, and rely on Cameron Archer and Oli McBurnie, who have scored four goals apiece.

This will be just the 34th-ever meeting between these two sides. There has not been much to split them historically, with Sheffield United winning 14, and Brighton winning 10. However, in the last five Premier League matchups since the Blades were promoted in 2020, Brighton are winless, drawing twice and losing three times.

They have already played against each other twice this season, once in the league and then again in the FA Cup. The points were shared in the reverse fixture in November, with Adam Webster’s own goal cancelling out Simon Adingra’s sixth-minute opener. They were then drawn against one another in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Brighton were victorious, winning 5-2 at Bramall Lane to advance to the next round. The Seagulls had gone 2-0 up after half an hour, but were pegged back by Gustavo Hamer and William Osula, who scored two goals just before the break. The visitors quickly restored their advantage, though, as Joao Pedro completed a hat-trick before Danny Welbeck added a fifth in stoppage time.

Sheffield United Team News

Oli McBurnie has been out with a tight calf, but the hope is that he makes a return this weekend. Ben Brereton Diaz also missed the last game with a tight hamstring, but is also trending towards being available to play Brighton.  Ivo Grbic and George Baldock may also make returns. 

Brighton Team News

Jack Hinshelwood picked up a knock in training and missed the Spurs game, but should return this weekend. Joao Pedro has also got a heel injury, but his return date is uncertain, with the striker possibly being out for weeks. Simon Adingra should make his return from the Africa Cup of Nations, whilst this game comes too soon for James Milner.  

Sheffield United Form Guide:

In their last five games, Sheffield United have won once, drawn once and lost three. Despite their poor run of form, the Blades picked up a huge three points in their most recent game against fellow relegation battlers Luton, as they won 3-1 away from home. They were 2-0 up before half-time with goals from Cameron Archer and James McAtee. A Carlton Morris penalty threatened a comeback, but Vinicius Souza soon put the game to bed.

It was an excellent response to a crushing 5-0 home defeat to Aston Villa, who were up four after half an hour. This followed another defeat at Crystal Palace, though this one was much closer. It was perhaps tougher to take, however, as the Blades took the lead twice in this game only to lose to a Michael Olise winner in the 67th minute.

Chris Wilder’s side took an early exit from the FA Cup as they were defeated 5-2 at home by this weekend’s opponents in the fourth round. They also picked up a point against West Ham in dramatic fashion, as Oli McBurnie netted an equaliser from the spot in the 13th minute of second half stoppage time to make it 2-2.

Brighton Form Guide:

In their last five games, Brighton have won two, lost two and drawn one. Their latest game saw them heartbreakingly lose to a last-minute Brennan Johnson goal as Tottenham won 2-1. Brighton had opened the scoring through a Pascal Gross penalty before Pape Matar Sarr equalised.

This stretch of games began with a goalless draw at home to Wolves. The Seagulls dominated with 72% possession but failed to convert any of their chances. They had no issues with goalscoring in their next game, as they put five past their hosts in an FA Cup fourth-round tie at Sheffield United. Joao Pedro netted a hat-trick in this game. This preceded perhaps their worst loss of the season as they were thrashed 4-0 at relegation-battling Luton. They were 2-0 down after just three minutes and could not recover.

They responded brilliantly, however, as they put four past rivals Crystal Palace four days later. Four different players were on the scoresheet in what was the perfect bounce-back result for Roberto De Zerbi and his side.

Sheffield United picked up a huge three points against Luton and will be hoping to continue that momentum against a Brighton side that concedes goals. Brighton should dominate but home advantage could help the Blades. We predict: Sheffield United 1-1 Brighton

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Sheffield United vs Brighton will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event.

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