Sheffield United host West Brom on Friday night in what looks to be the game of the week in the Championship. These two teams are both in the playoff positions right now, United are in 3rd while West Brom are in 5th. There is just one point separating all four clubs who are currently in the playoffs, things are very tight at the top of this league. With a whole host of good clubs waiting in the wings to jump into the playoffs, every single point is going to be crucial over the next couple of weeks as we are about to enter the busy Christmas period.

After being relegated from the Premier League last season, West Brom started amongst the favourites for promotion straight back at the first attempt and so far they have done well. With numerous changes over the summer, with both players coming in and going out, things were always going to be tough for manager Darren Moore in the early weeks. To be close to Christmas, and be sat in the playoffs is job done for him so far, and now things are settled he has to find a way for his team to kick on and either cement their playoff position, or challenge for the two automatic promotion spots.

Sheffield United only had their first season back in the Championship from League One last season, so to see them doing so well at the moment is credit to them. They always had a very good core and over the course of two summers they have added to that core, without doing too much to disrupt things and it is that approach that has put them where they are right now. They may not have been the first team in many people’s suggestions for promotion candidates, but based on what we have seen on the field so far in the first part of the season, they deserve to be where they are on merit. It will be very interesting to see if United can keep things going in the right direction, they have hit a couple of bumps in the road recently but so far they are showing the ability to bounce back from those.

Sheffield United are Taking Over the City

While the Steel City derby ended in a 0-0 draw last month, there is no doubt that when it comes to the bigger picture, Sheffield United are taking over the city of Sheffield. These two teams have both had their moments in history, but in recent years it has been Sheffield Wednesday who were leading the way comfortably. However, the rise of Sheffield United into the Championship once again has coincided with the fall of Sheffield Wednesday, and there is no doubt that right now, Sheffield United hold the bragging rights in South Yorkshire.

The most interesting difference between United and Wednesday right now is that they have built their squads in very different ways. The turnover of players at Sheffield Wednesday over the past few years has been very big, they have spent a lot of money, pay good wages and they have taken a lot of risks. They have done all of that with the intention of getting into the Premier League, which is the ultimate reward and would instantly give them their money back. After their struggles this season, and with potential financial implications on the way, it could be the last we see of Sheffield Wednesday putting together a squad to challenge for promotion, leaving the path clear for United to really dominate the city.

In contrast, Sheffield United have take the sensible and slow route to success, and they are having success right now that is probably ahead of when they expected to. Since returning from League One, United have brought in a handful of players they felt were needed to plug the gaps in their squad, while also improving at the same time. They did well last season, and this season they have taken that to a completely new level. If anyone inside the club is honest enough, I’m sure they would tell you that this success was expected next year, and not this year, although they certainly won’t be complaining they are having such a good season right now.

Whether the plan put together by Sheffield United is one that will work for them remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that they have far less risk attached to what they’re doing. The Sheffield Wednesday plan appears to be on the verge of a collapse, and if that does happen it will take them a while to recover from it. Even if United don’t make it this season, their promotion chances in the future look good, and they have solid foundations to build on going forward, something that Wednesday never really had.

Sheffield United vs West Brom Betting Tips

Eveything is set for us to have a very good game on Friday night, we have two in form teams who are playing well, and they both desperately want the points on offer to aid their promotion chances. Sheffield United are up in 3rd position right now, with West Brom in 5th but just one point separates the four playoff teams so there is nothing to choose between them as far as points goes.

United come here on the back of two wins out of their last three after they have steadied the ship since dropping off the top of the table. West Brom have drawn their last two games, which were both at home against Brentford and Aston Villa and they will see those games as missed opportunities. Just one win from those would have given them an additional two points, which would have put them in 3rd place ahead of United.

Of the two teams on Friday night, I think the one to concentrate on is definitely Sheffield United, and it is them who I will be backing in the game. United have turned the corner and fought back well after a tough time, and that could come just at the right moment for them as they are about to head into a busy period.

I am backing United for victory here, I like what they are doing long term, and they have shown enough this season to be genuine promotion contenders. West Brom are also a team I like, but with home advantage and the fact they’ve turned a corner, the odds point to a win for Sheffield United on Friday night.

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