Can either Sheffield United or Preston break the deadlock in tonights Championship Play-off Semi-final Second Leg
The Championship Play-off Semi-final between Sheffield United and Preston is finely balanced at 1-1 with Sheffield United favourites with the bookies to go through based mainly on home advantage. The first game lacked quality as both sides preferred not conceding to scoring for themselves, and it seems likely that the second leg will follow a similar pattern (for the first half at least) as there is very little to separate the two sides.
Preston are difficult to beat and Alan Irvine schooled in management under David Moyes so they can be expected to fight for everything, chasing every ball down and providing the games’ tempo. Preston played well in their last 4 games to deny Cardiff City and get into the play-offs. Sheffield United finished the Championship Play-off Semi-final First-leg looking the more likely to score, although they face injury worries up-front to Darius Henderson and Jamie Ward with Arturo Lupoli and Craig Beattie preparing to deputise. Preston will be without Lee Williamson is as he completes a three-game ban.
Our success trading the 0-0 after 20 minutes in the First-leg should yield results once again tonight as both sides try to avoid conceding early in the game and settle down to their own style of play. We will be taking a 0-0 position at around 10.0 on Betfair and looking to trade out after 20 minutes at around 6.0.
This is a one-off game now, albeit, one in which Preston concede home advantage, and it would be difficult for either Sheffield United or Preston to dominate for the full 90 minutes. I expect extra time and will be taking the 90 minute draw at 3.45 on Betfair and possibly trading the draw out if it remains all-square into the second half.
