It is as big as it gets as Sheffield United host Leeds United in the battle for automatic Championship promotion. James Buttler finds the best bets.
Leeds United on 72 points, Sheffield United on 70, two points ahead of Burnley who have played a game more, and this is a chance for one of these two to really take a bit of a strangle hold at the top of the table.
Full disclosure, I am a Leeds United fan and to be honest I would take a draw right now. I'd probably think Leeds United would take a draw now and so would Sheffield United and that certainly brings the draw into play.
Leeds United have won their last four in the championship. Sheffield United have won their last four in the championship. There is nothing between these two sides because despite the fact they're separated by two points, those two points are effectively the minus two that Sheffield United sustained at the start of the season in terms of a penalty. So, it really is all to play for at Bramall Lane on Monday.
Despite Sheffield United's 3-0 home defeat to Hull City three games ago, they have been very strong at home this season. The last two games beating Portsmouth 2-1 and Middlesbrough 3-1 but they conceded in the last three and that will give Leeds hope that they can break down Sheffield United's defence.
Leeds put four past Watford last time away from home and two past Coventry City and they haven't conceded in their last three away games, getting a credible goalless draw against third place Burnley.
Despite the fact that Leeds have been scoring plenty of goals this season, this match does not screen goals. So how do we find some good bets in this game?
I certainly don't agree with the prices that the bookies have on the outright. 16/5 on Sheffield United seems remarkably generous. The 19/20 on Leeds away from home, remarkably mean. And I think that provides some value on the home side. Sheffield United at 16/5, you can take that if you want to, but I think Sheffield United not to lose on Monday night is probably the safer way in. So the quick tip is 20/21, pretty much even money on Sheffield United or the draw in what I think could be quite a cagey affair.
I think it could also be forgiven for looking at unders on the goals in this one too. Under 2.5 match goals is 20/23.
If you were to double up Sheffield United and the draw and under 2.5 match goals, it comes to 2.22/1 with Unibet.
I hope I'm wrong. I hope Leeds United romp home. I just don't see it. However you play it, gamble responsibly and enjoy the football. This should be an absolute cracker.
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