jono_t2000
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SHEFFIELD UNITED VS ROTHERHAM UNITED
“A McAtee Match Made In Heaven?”
The Breakdown
Sheffield United face Rotherham United at Bramhall Lane on Saturday 10th September coming into the game on a rich vein of form. Sitting top of the table, the Blades are just one of two teams (Bristol City the other) to go undefeated in their last six matches only dropping 4 points in the process (4W 2D).
Rotherham have surprised many, sitting comfortably away from the relegation zone in 13th with a game in hand and have a pretty decent form record having only lost once all season including a credible draw at home against Watford.
What the Stats Say
Based on current form you would be forgiven in thinking that this could be a tough test for Sheffield United to continue their impeccable home record, winning 6 of their last 6 (excl playoffs) dating back to 16/04/22 last season when SUFC lost 1-2 to Reading. Since then the Blades have scored 16 goals at home (avg 2.66 goals per game) and only conceded once.
And as below the stats actually say this should be a fairly comfortable game in reality and if there was a game to give McAtee a full 90 minutes, you would be hard pressed to find a better opportunity.
If Sheffield United fans were concerned about their teams away displays, then despair for Rotherham United fans.
While Sheffield United hold onto possession at home as currently the 6th best team, conversely Rotherham United are the 6th worst team holding onto possession away.
While this may seem ok if Rotherham were a good direct team away from home, this is really not the case as they now also have the worst number of shots per game away when not playing at the AESSEAL New York Stadium averaging a total of 6 shots. (a record held once by Sheffield United in away games earlier in the season.)
It doesnt get any easier for Rotherham either as they are facing the team who allows the least number of shots at home with Sheffield United allowing opposition teams only 5.5 shots per game at Bramall Lane.
Going the other direction, Sheffield United top the charts for shots per game at home (20.3) while Rotherham allow the 2nd most shots when away, allowing 18.3 shots to fly at their goal per 90 mins.
In terms of xG and xGA again it shows that Sheffield United should dominate this game with the Blades having a strong 2.22 xG at Home which is 3rd overall while Rotherham have the 3rd worst xGA while away sitting at 1.93
On the other hand Rotherham have the 4th worst xG on their travels with an xG of only 0.83 and Sheffield United have the best xGA sitting at 0.7
Who Should Play
With Max Lowe being the latest player to hit the injury ward, unless Ceiran Clark turns up in the lost and found box, Chris Basham will almost certainly start at RCB with Ahmedhodzic shifting to the left. And as mentioned before I would like to see James McAtee start this game in place of Sander Berge who has played the third most minutes out of any Sheffield United player this season (only Egan and Norrington-Davies have played more)
Mcburnie has 3 in 3 and has to continue as the hot hand, although would like to see Brewster get at the full 45 minutes in the second half rather than late on when his teammates are tiring and attacks are not as fluid.
Referee
Keith Stroud will referee this game and seems to garner a lot of hate but in all honesty is one of the best referees, if not the best in this division.
Out of all the referees who have adjudicated over half the rounds, Mr Stroud sits 2nd on least amount of fouls given per attempted tackle and overall gives the 4th least fouls per game. However he brandishes the 4th highest amount of yellow cards per game and joint 2nd highest red cards per game.
Overall expect a referee who lets the game flow and is largely anonymous, however if you do hear his whistle blow, expect a card to be brandished.
Since coming back down to the championship Keith Stroud has only refereed at Bramall Lane twice with Sheffield United winning both those home fixtures.
If Sheffield United had a list of referees they would like to have at home fixtures, Mr Stroud would be near the very top.
Final Summary
While Sheffield United look to be one of the strongest teams overall and definitely the strongest at home, despite losing only once this season Rotherham offer little threat when not in the comfort of their own stadium and are probably a little fortunate not to have expierenced more defeats so far.
Expect Sheffield United to be far too strong and control the game both in possession and chances created from start to finish.
Best bet: Sheffield United -1 handicap
Sheffield United Clean Sheet: Yes
Predicted Score: Sheffield United 3 - 0 Rotherham United
“A McAtee Match Made In Heaven?”
The Breakdown
Sheffield United face Rotherham United at Bramhall Lane on Saturday 10th September coming into the game on a rich vein of form. Sitting top of the table, the Blades are just one of two teams (Bristol City the other) to go undefeated in their last six matches only dropping 4 points in the process (4W 2D).
Rotherham have surprised many, sitting comfortably away from the relegation zone in 13th with a game in hand and have a pretty decent form record having only lost once all season including a credible draw at home against Watford.
What the Stats Say
Based on current form you would be forgiven in thinking that this could be a tough test for Sheffield United to continue their impeccable home record, winning 6 of their last 6 (excl playoffs) dating back to 16/04/22 last season when SUFC lost 1-2 to Reading. Since then the Blades have scored 16 goals at home (avg 2.66 goals per game) and only conceded once.
And as below the stats actually say this should be a fairly comfortable game in reality and if there was a game to give McAtee a full 90 minutes, you would be hard pressed to find a better opportunity.
If Sheffield United fans were concerned about their teams away displays, then despair for Rotherham United fans.
While Sheffield United hold onto possession at home as currently the 6th best team, conversely Rotherham United are the 6th worst team holding onto possession away.
While this may seem ok if Rotherham were a good direct team away from home, this is really not the case as they now also have the worst number of shots per game away when not playing at the AESSEAL New York Stadium averaging a total of 6 shots. (a record held once by Sheffield United in away games earlier in the season.)
It doesnt get any easier for Rotherham either as they are facing the team who allows the least number of shots at home with Sheffield United allowing opposition teams only 5.5 shots per game at Bramall Lane.
Going the other direction, Sheffield United top the charts for shots per game at home (20.3) while Rotherham allow the 2nd most shots when away, allowing 18.3 shots to fly at their goal per 90 mins.
In terms of xG and xGA again it shows that Sheffield United should dominate this game with the Blades having a strong 2.22 xG at Home which is 3rd overall while Rotherham have the 3rd worst xGA while away sitting at 1.93
On the other hand Rotherham have the 4th worst xG on their travels with an xG of only 0.83 and Sheffield United have the best xGA sitting at 0.7
Who Should Play
With Max Lowe being the latest player to hit the injury ward, unless Ceiran Clark turns up in the lost and found box, Chris Basham will almost certainly start at RCB with Ahmedhodzic shifting to the left. And as mentioned before I would like to see James McAtee start this game in place of Sander Berge who has played the third most minutes out of any Sheffield United player this season (only Egan and Norrington-Davies have played more)
Mcburnie has 3 in 3 and has to continue as the hot hand, although would like to see Brewster get at the full 45 minutes in the second half rather than late on when his teammates are tiring and attacks are not as fluid.
Referee
Keith Stroud will referee this game and seems to garner a lot of hate but in all honesty is one of the best referees, if not the best in this division.
Out of all the referees who have adjudicated over half the rounds, Mr Stroud sits 2nd on least amount of fouls given per attempted tackle and overall gives the 4th least fouls per game. However he brandishes the 4th highest amount of yellow cards per game and joint 2nd highest red cards per game.
Overall expect a referee who lets the game flow and is largely anonymous, however if you do hear his whistle blow, expect a card to be brandished.
Since coming back down to the championship Keith Stroud has only refereed at Bramall Lane twice with Sheffield United winning both those home fixtures.
If Sheffield United had a list of referees they would like to have at home fixtures, Mr Stroud would be near the very top.
Final Summary
While Sheffield United look to be one of the strongest teams overall and definitely the strongest at home, despite losing only once this season Rotherham offer little threat when not in the comfort of their own stadium and are probably a little fortunate not to have expierenced more defeats so far.
Expect Sheffield United to be far too strong and control the game both in possession and chances created from start to finish.
Best bet: Sheffield United -1 handicap
Sheffield United Clean Sheet: Yes
Predicted Score: Sheffield United 3 - 0 Rotherham United
