English League One
2012-09-08 - Scunthorpe United vs Sheffield United
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : England : League One
Saturday 8th September - Kickoff 3:00pm
Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe welcome Sheffield United to Glanford Park on Saturday looking to kick start their season. Knill is struggling to get a result in this league as his side has failed to make an impact in their games. With 4 losses from 4 in the league United could be in a for a long season, with title favourites the Blades in town life won't get much easier for them.
The only victory for United came at Pride Park beating Derby on penalties in the League Cup first round. That result was on the 18th August and since then the club has played 6 and lost 6 including defeats in the League and Football League Cup competitions.
In every game this year Scunthorpe have conceded at least 2 goals and defensively they are a shambles. Going forward it's not much better with the side failing to score in 3 of the games.
At Glanford Park the side has just 1 League One win in 5 having lost 3 of the last 4. MK Dons, Crewe and Yeovil are all sides lower than Sheffield United's ability which doesn't bode well for Knill's side.
Sheffield United
Danny Wilson's United were the ones to miss out on promotion last year and it's no surprise to see them as title favourites this time around. On Saturday they visit the league's bottom club and they go into this game as favourites.
5th placed United have 8 points from 12 with 2 wins and 2 draws from 4 played and remain unbeaten. Both wins have come at home whilst both away games ended in draws. I expect the Blades to improve their away record as the year goes on and this looks an ideal game to get that first away win.
A problem for the Blades is their lack of clean sheets on their travels. Both away games have ended 1-1 with the side unable to get that all important second goal. Bizarrely going back into last season United haven't won an away game in the league for 7 games which is a slight concern.
Betting Verdict
The sides know each other well playing 6 times in 3 years. The Blades have won just 1 of the 6, at home in last year's reverse fixture. Scunthorpe surprisingly have won 2 of the 3 encounters at Glanford Parking and drew the other.
I don't like to rely on head to head stats but that has put me off backing Sheffield. Scunthorpe have been poor all season and eventually must improve. The Blades on the other hand are due some luck on the road and maybe a draw isn't out of the question here.
The best bet for me is goals in this one. The away side are very dangerous at this level and have scored in both away games whilst conceding in both as well. The home side may not have a point but they do have goals in their home games with the last 3 going overs when at Glanford Park.
Wilson's side should win and if they do it will be with 3 goals or more so I'm back overs in this one. Scunthorpe have scored at least 2 in all of the 2 recent head to heads at home with the Blades but just 1 should be enough to ensure we get 3 goals.
Good Luck
The Pick :
Scunthorpe 1-2 Sheffield Utd
