Middlesbrough vs Sheffield United Prediction, Lineups and Betting Tip Predictions

Middlesbrough vs Sheffield United Prediction, Lineups and Betting Tip

Match Details: August 30th, 2025 | The Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough | EFL Championship

Middlesbrough host Sheffield United in Saturday Championship action with every chance of coming away with all three points, as the visitors, and last season's losing play-off finalists, come into this game propping up the table.

Losing all three of their opening games, the Blades have failed to validate the surprise sacking of Chris Wilder during the summer break, and now find themselves under unfamiliar pressure at this early stage of the season.

Key Betting Tip: Middlesbrough to Win at odds of 2.05 on Kwiff represent excellent value for the tip provided by our in-house tipsters.

Middlesbrough vs Sheffield United Predicted Lineups

Middlesbrough Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Solomon Brynn (GK); Alfie Jones, Dael Fry, Luke Ayling; Samuel Silvera, Finn Azaz, Aidan Morris, Callum Brittain; Hayden Hackney, Morgan Whittaker; Tommy Conway.

Boro have had a splendid start to the season - winning three out of three games, and conceding just one in that time, coach Rob Edwards will be excited by the challenge of taking on the wounded giant of Sheffield United.

However, he will have to contend with some absences for this one, with four players missing through injury. Darragh Lenihan and Riley McGree are missing through muscle injuries, Alex Bangura is out with a hamstring strain, and Seny Dieny is out until at least October with an achilles tendon injury sustained in pre-season.

Sheffield United Predicted XI (4-3-3): Michael Cooper (GK); Harrison Burrows, Jack Robinson, Tyler Bindon, Ben Godfrey; Djibril Soumare, Sydie Peck, Callum O’Hare; Louie Barry, Tyrese Campbell, Gustavo Hamer.

After a disappointing performance against Millwall saw them outgunned despite boasting 62% of the possession, Blades coach Ruben Selles seems to be struggling to integrate his style into this United squad. Perhaps still reeling from their dramatic play-off final loss to Sunderland, the players may not yet be in the headspace to accept the visions of a new coach, particularly after the abrupt manner in which Chris Wilder left.

And while they are missing three players through injury, these three injuries by themselves should not have been enough to de-rail their early season plans - Tom Davies, Ollie Arblaster and Jamie Shackleton are the players missing.

Middlesbrough vs Sheffield United Current League Standings

Home side Middlesbrough have been rewarded for their strong start to the season, as they currently lie in second. Level on points with leaders Stoke, their goal difference of +5 sits one below Stoke’s meaning they just miss out on top spot for now.

Sheffield United sit rock bottom of the table, having scored just once and conceding six, the exact opposite of Middlesbrough’s goal record.

Middlesbrough vs Sheffield United Head to Head Timeline

Since 2010, the two sides have faced off on 12 occasions, and somewhat surprisingly, it is Boro who hold the upper hand in the head to head record. Of the 12 games played, Boro have emerged victorious seven times, while Sheffield have nabbed four of their own, with one draw sandwiched in between.

Recent Head to Head Meetings:

• 12/02/2025: Sheffield United 3-1 Middlesbrough
• 23/10/2024: Middlesbrough 1-0 Sheffield United
• 15/02/2023: Sheffield United 1-3 Middlesbrough
• 14/08/2022: Middlesbrough 2-2 Sheffield United
• 08/03/2022: Sheffield United 4-1 Middlesbrough

The last five meetings have been shared equally, with two wins apiece as well as a draw. This game will have plenty of bite to it, and despite Sheffield United’s struggles, there is no guarantee of a Boro win.

Middlesbrough vs Sheffield United Recent Match Analysis

Middlesbrough Last Five Games:

• Norwich 1-2 Middlesbrough (Championship)
• Millwall 0-3 Middlesbrough (Championship)
• Middlesbrough 0-4 Doncaster Rovers (Carabao Cup)
• Middlesbrough 1-0 Swansea City (Championship)
• Hartlepool United 1-1 Middlesbrough (Club Friendly)

Ignoring their shock collapse against League One Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup, Boro seem to be building on last season's top half finish very nicely - averaging two goals a game, and conceding their first league goal of the season last time out, everything seems to be working perfectly in tandem at the riverside.

Though not the most creative side in the league, they are clinical when they create their chances, and with the likes of Finn Azaz crafting these opportunities, and Tommy Conway trying to finish them off, these chances have the ability to change the complexion of a game more often than not.

Sheffield United Last Five Games:

• Sheffield United 0-1 Millwall (Championship)
• Swansea City 1-0 Sheffield United (Championship)
• Birmingham City 2-1 Sheffield United (Carabao Cup)
• Sheffield United 1-4 Bristol City (Championship)
• Sheffield United 2-3 OGC Nice (Club Friendly)

Sheffield United have now failed to win a competitive match since May, when they beat Bristol in both legs of their play-off semi-final clash, and it will no doubt be starting to weigh on everyone at the club. Toothless in attack, and lacking the defensive solidity that served them so well last season, it is hard to say they don’t deserve to be bottom of the table.

Apart from their season opener against Bristol City, they have been outshot by every opponent, and despite dominating possession more often than not, Ruben Selles’ rarely look like doing anything with it. It is an uphill battle here against one of the leagues in form sides.

Middlesbrough vs Sheffield United Prediction

Our advanced algorithm analyses over 200 data points to generate these predictions, and as a result has deduced that there is a 50% chance of both teams scoring in this one - in four of the last five meetings, both sides have got on the scoresheet, and while the Blades have struggled in front of goal, we back that pattern to repeat itself. The model factors in current form, head-to-head records, player availability and tactical matchups.

Middlesbrough vs Sheffield United Betting Tip

Football Park’s Best Bet: Middlesbrough to win at odds of 2.05 on Kwiff - Middlesbrough have shown themselves to be as dangerous as any side in the division, and as long as they are able to hold onto the immensely talented Finn Azaz, they will always have a game changer on the pitch. We reckon Sheffield United make this a close contest, but Boro will eventually run out as 2-1 winners.

Players to Watch: Middlesbrough vs Sheffield United

Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough): Who else was it going to be? After notching 12 goals and 11 assists last campaign as his side fell just short of the play-offs, he has picked up where he left off, already grabbing both a goal and an assist in his two Championship games so far. Able to see a pass from outer space and a big threat when arriving late at the edge of the area, Azaz has a box of tricks that few can match in England’s second tier.

Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United): Though yet to show the best sides of himself this season, there is no denying that the Dutchman makes the Blades a much better side. Scoring 10 and assisting eight last season, he must now rediscover that form in a bid to drag his club back to where they belong - near to, or at the top of the Championship table.

Stadium Details: The Riverside Stadium, home of Middlesbrough, is one of the newer Championship grounds, having been opened in 1996. Capable of holding just shy of 35 ‘000 people, the arena always boasts an electric atmosphere, and has played host to some superbly entertaining football over the last 12 months.