After the agony of falling seconds short of a huge cup upset, Wrexham try to do it all again on Tuesday as they travel to Sheffield United for their FA Cup Fourth Round replay.
The Red Dragons, who have a great shot at promotion from the National League this season, pushed the Blades to the limit at the Racecourse Ground in an end-to-end 3-3 draw in late January — and they continued their strong league form with a 2-1 win over Altrincham at the weekend.
It was John Egan’s 95th-minute equalizer that dragged 10-man Sheffield United off the canvas in the teams’ first meeting, but that rollercoaster contest seemed to take its toll on Paul Heckingbottom’s side, who were short of their best in a 0-0 draw with Rotherham on Saturday.
Get ready for another edge-of-your-seat cup tie with our free Sheffield United vs. Wrexham picks and predictions.
Sheffield United vs Wrexham odds
| Sheffield United | Wrexham | |
|---|---|---|
| -223 | Moneyline | +550 |
| +320 | Draw | +320 |
| Over 2.5 (-150) | Total | Under 2.5 (+120) |
Odds courtesy of bet365 on February 6, 2023.
Sheffield United vs Wrexham picks and predictions
If Sheffield United were underestimating Wrexham ahead of their nail-biting thriller nine days ago, the Red Dragons will have their full attention in this replay. Back at Bramall Lane, I’m expecting a backlash from the Blades.
Heckingbottom’s men deserve credit for clawing their way back from 3-2 down in the first game, especially after Canadian striker Daniel Jebbison was sent off, but that contest highlighted some surprising fragility in the Sheffield United defense.
Equally, though, it showed that the Championship high flyers could cut through a Wrexham back line that was weakened by injuries to Aaron Hayden and Jordan Tunnicliffe — who may both miss the replay.
A defensive reshuffle for the visitors should be music to the ears of the Sheffield United strikers. Whether the Blades turn to Oli McBurnie, Billy Sharp, or Iliman Ndiaye up top, the hosts should be able to unlock the Red Dragons’ back five. They had 13 shots in the first game and should approach that number again here.
As impressive as the Wrexham story is, the FA Cup chapter looks likely to come to an end here. Having escaped an embarrassing exit in Wales, I expect the hosts to cash in on their reprieve, and I’ll be pairing the Sheffield United moneyline with Over 2.5 total goals.
My best bet: Sheffield United to win + Over 2.5 total goals (+110 at bet365)
Looking to do some FA Cup betting? Here are two of the best bonuses* available:
A) New users at FanDuel can get a no-sweat first bet of up to $3,000! Sign Up Now
B) New users at DraftKings can bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets! Sign Up Now
*Eligible USA locations only. Also, check out our full list of best soccer betting sites for 2023.
21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Sheffield United vs Wrexham side analysis
Promotion is the top priority for both of these teams, but there’s every reason to expect strong lineups at Bramall Lane — especially with the major prize of a home date against Harry Kane and Tottenham in the next round.
It’s a big ask for Wrexham to match their Championship opponents again, but the Red Dragons have nothing to lose. I expect the visitors to have moved on from the disappointment of letting the first game slip through their fingers, and Wrexham showed they have the quality in the final third to cause problems for the Blades.
On the heels of excellent league form and the “Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary, this is clearly a club on the rise — and one that will be competing in the big-money TST tournament in the U.S. this summer.
But Sheffield United’s home form paints an ominous picture for Wrexham’s chances of winning this replay. The Blades have won nine of their 14 home games in the Championship this season, losing just twice.
Sheffield United vs Wrexham Over/Under analysis
These teams served up a six-goal classic in the first game and I don’t expect Wrexham to stray far from their attacking game plan. They’re more than capable of scoring on their travels and edged out Coventry 4-3 on the road in the Third Round. A high-scoring shootout fits with their style.
The Red Dragons weren’t shy about getting players into the box in the first game and finished with 21 shots in the near-upset. That mindset could spell trouble defensively, though, with Sheffield United well-equipped to create scoring chances at the other end and exploit the visitors’ injury-hit backline.
Neither Ndiaye nor Sander Berge were in the starting lineup at the Racecourse Ground and their inclusion here could swing this tie towards the Over. The Blades’ goalless draw with a struggling Rotherham team at the weekend hardly hinted at an imminent scoring explosion, but I see them bringing their scoring boots here on home turf.
Sheffield United vs Wrexham game info
| Location: | Bramall Lane, Sheffield, England |
| Date: | Tuesday, February 7, 2023 |
| Time: | 3:45 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN2 |
Sheffield United vs Wrexham key injuries
Sheffield United: Ciaran Clark CB (Probable), John Fleck CM (Questionable), Tommy Doyle CM (Doubtful), Enda Stevens LB (Out), Rhian Brewster ST (Out), Rhys Norrington-Davies CB (Out), George Baldock RB (Out), Jack O’Connell CB (Out).
Wrexham: Jordan Tunnicliffe CB (Doubtful), Aaron Hayden CB (Out).
Sheffield United vs Wrexham weather
Temperatures are expected to dip into the 30s by kickoff, with a small chance of rain at Bramall Lane.
