Birmingham vs. Sheffield United Predictions: Expect goals and cards at St Andrews

Birmingham City welcome Sheffield United to St Andrews on Friday, with all the action live on Sky Sports. 

Back to back victories for the Blades has seen them move up to 11th in the Championship table, as they now sit just six points off the play offs with significant games in hand. Birmingham on the other hand occupy 17th place after drawing their last two games 2-2 in contrasting circumstances. 

Consecutive clean sheets for the away side has them coming into this fixture full of confidence as they look to make it three wins on the bounce. United are heavy favourites sitting currently around 21/20, with the Blues 14/5. Record breaking Billy Sharp netted his 122nd championship goal vs Peterborough and will play a vital part for the Blades if they can once again pick up the three points on their travels. 

Rhian Brewster will miss this trip to Birmingham after coming off injured early on in the Blades 2-0 win over Peterborough. Jack O’Connell and Gibbs white are also absent. 

Lyle Taylor should keep his place in the side for Blues after he netted on his debut vs Derby. Troy Deeney and Goalkeeper Sarkic miss out through injury. 

I do feel there is some value to be had with this goal line in the Asian market, so I am more than happy to have this as our main play for 1.5 Pts. 

Two goals means a half win, 3+ for a full win but one would be a loss. 

This bet would’ve seen a full return in eight of Birmingham's last nine home games. There last six championship matches have seen a total of 24 goals with this bet not losing once during this time. 

Despite back to back clean sheet for the Blades, there is definitely weaknesses in this back line – prior to the two clean sheets, they had conceded 2+ in four of the five previous matches. 

Given the added firepower Birmingham have added to their squad and the nature of goals in their games especially on home soil, I do feel this line is a tad low and represents some value Friday evening. 

For my second play here I’m happy to have a dabble in the card markets and back this 18/1 double which is half the price with Betfair. 

Two players who love to fight for every ball in the middle of the park and both are never far away from a caution. Hourihane has been booked in two of his last three and was carded in front of the cameras in United's last game. Gary Gardner has been booked in both of his last two starts and tops the chart for worst discipline in the Blues squad this campaign. 

Been we have a card happy ref here, this 18/1 shot is definitely worth a nibble for some added interest Friday evening. 

Profit and loss: -1.75 Pts