Sheff United v Yeovil: Blunt Blades to struggle for first-leg goals

Sheffield United’s quest to justify Danny Wilson’s recent sacking begins at home to Yeovil, as the Blades are afforded 21/20 favouritism to gain a first-leg playoff semi-final advantage.

But under the stewardship of caretaker manager Chris Morgan, who has won just one of his five matches in temporary charge of the club, the Yorkshire outfit appear best avoided.

Perhaps the most they can hope for is a draw at 12/5, which has proved the Blades’ most popular home result this term, occurring a massive 11 times.

However, there may be some mileage in the 13/5 odds regarding an away victory, especially considering Yeovil ran out 2-0 winners at Brammall Lane in the regular-season fixture.

The Glovers head into this match in far superior form too, having triumphed in four of their past six outings, whilst they have lost only twice in their last eight.

And for added value, betting on a low-scoring success for Gary Johnson’s travellers may prove prudent.

United haven’t scored in any of their last three games, and have notched on just four occasions during Morgan’s five-game tenure at the helm, a period during which the visitors have hit the net seven times.

As 26 of Yeovil’s 46 league games have seen them register either once or twice too, they appear huge value to win a match involving less than 2.5 strikes at 6/1.

Coupled correct score markets also see the travelling side priced 6/1 to win either 1-0 or 2-0, whilst those full-time outcomes in favour of the Glovers are 9/1 and 16/1 respectively.

And betting on a slow-burning success for Johnson’s charges may be wise also, considering the majority of their league goals this season have come after the half-time whistle.

Four of Yeovil’s last five strikes came after the break too, whilst they also turned a 0-0 half-time draw into a 2-0 full-time triumph at Brammall Lane earlier this term.

Thus, 7/1 looks a massive price that the Glovers win a match that is level after 45 minutes, whilst the 37/20 odds that the away side does most of their scoring in the second half appeal.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.