Sheffield United vs Swansea City – Preview | OneFootball

Sheffield United will welcome Swansea City to Bramall Lane on Good Friday afternoon in the Sky Bet Championship.

The Blades enter the Easter weekend having gone winless in the month of March. As a result of this, they are now closer to the relegation zone than they are to the play-off spots. Dropped points at home to West Bromwich Albion, away at Norwich City and at home to Wrexham leave the Blades 13 points behind Southampton in sixth.

Swansea head to Bramall Lane having been defeated by Wrexham and Coventry City without scoring a goal and conceding five in the process. Much like United, they’ve struggled for consistency all campaign, they’re currently two points above the South Yorkshire outfit.

Team News

The Blades will continue to have Adam Davies in goal due to Michael Cooper’s injury. Sam McCallum and Kalvin Phillips remain the only other players that are on the sidelines.

The Welsh side could be without Josh Key having suffered a hip injury in the defeat to Wrexham a couple of weeks ago. Swedish forward Zeidane Inoussa has not featured since January due to a back issue.

Sheffield United’s Impact Player For This Game

Hamer thrives in games where he can dictate the tempo and operate between the lines in the left half-space. He has the ability to carry the ball in-field from the left and commit defenders because they’re worried about his long-range shooting and his delivery. The Dutchman averages 2.5 shots per game, 2.5 chances created per game and almost two successful crosses per game.

Against a team like Swansea who like to maintain their shape, if he can draw players out of position, he could use some disguised and reversed through balls into the path of runners. Hamer has the vision to unlock defences from various angles. He also poses a threat from set pieces, whether that be corners, wide free-kicks, or central free-kicks in shooting positions.

Swansea City’s Impact Player For This Game

For Swansea, a player who could have a major say in the outcome is Zan Vipotnik. The striker offers a more direct focal point to Swansea’s attack and could be crucial in how they hurt Sheffield United.

Vipotnik is a traditional number nine with a strong physical presence. He thrives when using his strength to hold up the ball and bring teammates into play. That could be particularly important in this game if Swansea look to relieve pressure and build attacks higher up the pitch.

Inside the penalty area, he is a constant threat. Vipotnik has sharp movement and a natural instinct for goal, often positioning himself well to attack crosses or loose balls, evident with his 17 goals this season. Against a Sheffield United defence that has been inconsistent all season, he’ll fancy his chances of adding to that tally. Remarkably, his expected goals tally is only 8.50, so he’s massively outperforming this tally, thus showing his clinical edge.

He also offers an aerial presence, which gives Swansea another route to goal. Whether from crosses or set pieces, Vipotnik’s ability in the air means Japhet Tanganga and Tyler Bindon will need to be switched on defensively throughout. The Slovenian averages almost three shots per game and one headed shot per game.

My Prediction

At this stage of the season this is a little bit of a “nothing” game for both sides, as far as the play-off race is concerned. But there is still professional pride to play for.

The Blades have won five of the last six meetings between these teams and I think this positive run continues. Sheffield United will win this one 2-1 to actually mark a good friday on Good Friday.

Stats taken from Fotmob and Opta.