Blackburn vs Sheffield Utd — Tips & Analysis

Sheffield Utd +-0: Sheffield United have had the better of these meetings for years, and that is where we start. They have won 8 of the last 12 meetings between the clubs. Blackburn's recent wins flatter them too. They have been outplayed in games they came through, and Tony Mowbray is without Scott Wharton, Lewis Miller and Augustus Kargbo, with more changes coming. Ewood Park has been a dead ground of late. Blackburn's six home games have produced just over a goal in total each time, and four of the six ended level. Sheffield United have been the tighter side on the road. They have taken 3 wins and 2 ties from their 7 away games and let in under a goal a game. Their problem sits at the other end. They have not scored in either league game so far, playing out 0-0 with Swansea and 0-0 with Birmingham. Put that together and you get a tight, low-scoring night. Our honest read is 1-1 after 90 minutes and penalties. This is as tight as a tie gets, and Sheffield United have to be the better side. That is a real ask, and it is the risk here. Level is the most common result in Blackburn's last six at Ewood Park, and Blackburn won the last meeting 3-1. Chris Wilder wants his players to treat this like a league game, so Sheffield United should be closer to full strength than most cup teams tonight. They are still the side we want.