English League One
2012-05-11 - Stevenage vs Sheffield United
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Football : English : League One
Friday, May 11th, 2012, 7:45PM GMT
PREVIEW
League One play-offs begin on Friday, with Sheffield United travelling to play the first leg away at Stevenage.
Stevenage needed a win on the last day of the season to assure themselves of the last playoff place, and they did it in style, trouncing Bury to deny Notts County. Stevenage are now on a great run, losing just once in 16 games. They haven't been very dominant though, with 10 of those games ending in draws, otherwise they might well have finished higher.
Still, there was a great win at Sheffield Wednesday back in February and then recently they almost beat Sheffield United away, before being pegged back from their 2 goal lead to take a point. Stevenage also had a good cup run, before they fell to Tottenham in a replay. This is a dangerous side that may well topple their favoured opponents, who will likely still be wondering how the hell they ended up in the playoffs.
Sheffield United were coasting at one stage, virtually guaranteed to gain automatic qualification, as their leading striker Ched Evans continued to bang them in. Evans season ended early with 35 goals scored as he was jailed for 5 years for a spot of rape, and it affected the whole club. The next day, United lost 1-0 to the MK Dons, and then had to claw back from a 2 goal deficit at home to take a point against Stevenage.
On the last day of the season, United needed to beat Exeter and hope Sheffield Wednesday dropped points to Wycombe. Neither happened, as United had Beattie sent off and drew. Beattie's sending off means the Blades are without him for this one, further weakening their chances.
Stevenage are undefeated at home in their last 11 matches now. It has been a great few years for supporters of this club, which has won back to back promotion to get to League One, and now find themselves in a position to quite possibly gain yet another promotion, to the Championship.
The loss of Evans is a huge loss for Sheffield, who have relied on him for a third of their goals this season! Since his conviction and jailing (and lord knows what else behind bars) the Blades have slumped hard. With him in the team you always have to give United a chance at beating anyone in this league. Without him, and now also shorn of the services up front of Beattie, they are a lot less dangerous and look beatable.
BETTING VERDICT
I am considering Stevenage for a narrow win, the prices are certainly value and they could well do what Blackpool did in their first leg home game against Birmingham.
However, I feel Stevenage will have to score twice to win. They have managed to score more than once in their last 3 games straight, including away at Bramall Lane. Let's take that bet here.
The Pick :
Stevenage
