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Having played out a fairly insipid first leg 0-0, the layers were quick to hand advantage to Sheffield United for Monday night's return match at Bramall Lane, with the Yorkshire club now strong favourites in the To Qualify market at 1.48.

Friday's game at the Lamex was a shocker to be honest. There were as many chances as addresses in a hermit's contacts book, with Stevenage coming closest to breaking the deadlock with a deflected shot hitting the bar. The quality of passing and possession was really poor on a very dry pitch (unhelpful for slick passing) with both too cagey for any attacking options.


Tactics

The Blades clogged up the midfield in the opening leg, playing a 4-5-1 asking Stevenage to break them down - which they couldn't. United played Chris Porter as a lone forward up front, and he was too isolated to cause any damage. Midfielder Stephen Quinn was the 'man in the hole' but he dropped deeper and deeper as the game progressed, which virtually rendered the partnership with Porter useless.

Manager Danny Wilson rested front man Richard Cresswell for Friday's game and I would envisage him reverting to a more aggressive 4-4-2. Wilson will see the first 90 minutes as 'job done' and Cresswell will offer more of an aerial threat too.

I thought Stevenage might be good enough to nick a goal at home, but I was disappointed with their quality of crosses from out wide (which has been their strength). Borough boss Gary Smith might go a 4-4-1-1, which was successful for an hour in the 2-2 draw at Bramall Lane in April, with Robin Shroot playing behind Patrick Agyemang.

The roles could be reversed here, and the 0-0 at 10.5 should be considered with a view to laying off In-Play.


Home and Away

Sheffield United's home form has been excellent all season, losing just three times and scoring 54 goals in the process. However, their attack of Porter and Cresswell has not quite the same threat and Stevenage have a strong four at the back and might feel confident in trying to contain that duo.

The visitors boast the second best defence away record in the division, having conceded only 21 goals away from the Lamex this term. They are a tough and hard-working side with tremendous organisation and might put the onus on the hosts to try and break them down. The Under 2.5 Goals angle is once again a strong possibility.


Key men

Having been totally frustrated with Agyemang continually drifting out right in the first leg, Boro wide man Luke Freeman has the most creation in this team. He was denied space on Friday, but caused havoc in that 2-2 draw last month between the two sides and the man with the orange boots is my sort of player down the left.

However, United's Kevin McDonald looked the best midfielder on show at the Lamex, and looks as though he has the class to play in a league above. Stevenage might pack their midfield this time to isolate his danger and he was always comfortable whenever in possession.


Brave lays

The first goal odds always interest me whenever the betting options are boosted with a live Sky game. If there is a cagey start to this and Stevenage can quieten down the home fans, layers might be looking to take on 0-10 minutes 5.0 and 11-20 minutes at 5.5. Risky, but understandable.


Recommendations
Back The Draw @ 3.7
Back 0-0 @ 10.5 with view to laying off In-Play
Back Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.82

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