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Fulham vs Sheffield United Odds & Prediction – EFL Championship Round 23

Sam Cox

by Sam Cox in Soccer News

Updated Dec 19, 2021 · 4:50 PM PST

Fulham players walking on the pitch after an EPL soccer match.
Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic, center, walks with other players after the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Burnley at the Craven Cottage Stadium in London, Monday, May 10, 2021. (Catherine Ivill/Pool via AP)
  • Fulham and Sheffield United match up on Monday, December, 20th at Craven Cottage
  • The league leaders can go five points clear with a win
  • Read below for the latest odds, betting preview and prediction

Fulham host Sheffield United at Craven Cottage on Monday, December, 20th. The league leaders can go five points clear at the top with a victory, while Sheffield United are looking to build on a three-match winning streak.

The Blades are still only 14th. They have a couple of matches in hand on some of their rivals, however, and they are just six points off the playoff spots.

These sides were both relegated from the Premier League last season, with just three goals scored across their two meetings in the top flight last season. Fulham won the clash at Craven Cottage 1-0, and it was a 1-1 draw when they duelled in Yorkshire. Fulham has won their last three home matches against Sheffield United without conceding.

Fulham vs Sheffield United Odds

Matchup Spread Moneyline Total
Fulham vs Sheffield United FUL -1 (+140) | SHU +1 (-175) FUL -134 | SHU +335 | DRAW +280 Ov 2.5 (-130) | Un 2.5 (+106)

Odds as of Dec 19 at Barstool.

Team News

Harrison Reed faces a late fitness test for the hosts. Other than that, Marco Silva looks to have a full-strength squad, barring any positive Covid tests. Silva could recall Antonee Robinson at left-back, while Fabio Carvalho is in line to start in attacking midfield.

With the team in such a good run of form, Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom is likely to name the same starting XI that beat Cardiff. His options are pretty limited at the moment too, with four first-team players sidelined.

Wes Foderingham will continue to deputize for Robin Olsen between the sticks. Sander Berge and John Fleck are both still out, leaving Conor Hourihane and Oliver Norwood to start in the midfield two. This one likely comes too soon for Rhian Brewster, despite positive news about his recovery from injury.

Fulham’s Winless Run

After winning seven matches on the bounce, Fulham has hit a bit of a rut with four consecutive draws. The last three of those have been 1-1. Silva shouldn’t be too concerned with the performances — they have still been dominating matches — but he will be desperate for his side to break this winless streak.

With Bournemouth losing consecutive matches, this is a massive opportunity for the west London club to build a cushion at the top of the table. Underlying metrics tab Fulham as comfortably the best team in the league, but they are only three points ahead of third at the moment.

Infogol has Fulham as the second-best defense and the best attack in the league by expected goals. They have scored 10 more than anyone else this season. Silva’s team are a class above most the division, though this won’t be easy.

Sheffield United has performed better than their league position suggests. The Blades have the third-lowest expected goals against per game, and they have started to find their attacking form with 37 shots across their last two matches.

Fulham vs Sheffield United Championship Statistics

Fulham
VS
Sheffield United
1st Position 14th
51 Goals scored 28
59.0% Average possession 61.2%
36 yellows, 2 reds Cards 35 yellows, 1 red
16.5 Shots per match 12.6
56% Shots inside the area 61%
24.6 Expected goal difference 5.7

Hosts Take the Points

Fulham hasn’t been at its ruthless best in the attacking third of late, and Sheffield United has a resolute defense. That might point to a low-scoring match, but both teams have scored in 59% of Fulham’s league fixtures this season and in over half of Sheffield United’s matches.

A goal in both halves is a good value bet at -165. Alternatively, Fulham to win and both teams to score is a strong option at +250.

Despite strong expected numbers, Sheffield United has kept just six clean sheets this term and has conceded 17 in 11 away matches.

Going to Craven Cottage is the Championship’s trickiest fixture in 2021-22. As good as Sheffield United has been of late, their defensive record away from home is concerning. We’re going with a home win here — Fulham is a good price on the moneyline, particularly considering Sheffield United’s injuries.

Pick: Fulham moneyline (-134).

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