All-League One Replay As Sheffield United Face Preston

Sheffield United travel to Preston tomorrow (19:45) as the two sides do battle in the replay of their initial FA Cup meeting that ended 1-1 at North End`s Deepdale. The match winners will likely be the hosts of Premier League titans Manchester United in the fifth round, though Louis van Gaal`s men will have to overcome League Two club Cambridge United after their goalless draw.

Preston opened the scoring in their fourth round tie with United, Kevin Gallagher finding the back of the net with a 30-yard free kick. Nigel Clough`s men had to wait until halfway through the second 45 to level up, Diego De Girolamo grabbing his first goal for the club.

Whilst Gallagher is an 8/1 chance with bet365 to break the deadlock once again, De Girolamo can be backed at 19/10 with Betvictor to find his name on the scoresheet at any time. The 19-year-old Blade has since attracted the attention of both Sunderland and Juventus after failing to agree a contract with his current club.

Indeed, the home side are the 29/20 favourites with Betvictor to progress through to the fifth stage of the tournament, Preston North End being available at 9/4 for the win. A draw, meanwhile, can be picked up at a price of 12/5 with a number of bookmakers, the price of another 1-1 result after 90 minutes being 6/1 (32red, 888sport, Betvictor, unibet).

Should the match culminate with both sides being level after the requisite 90 minutes and extra time, the two teams will have to face off in penalties. Betbright are offering 9/2 on the encounter ending with spot-kicks, whilst 1/9 says the match will be decided prior to this pressure lottery.

This game will be the fourth encounter between the two sides, with Simon Grayson`s team having faced off against Clough`s men in two previous League One matches. The first of these matches was played at Deepdale back in August, and also ended 1-1. Andy Little got the Whites off to a flying start before they were pegged back by Jose Baxter four minutes before half time.

United beat Preston in the reverse fixture, all three goals of the 2-1 win coming in the second 45. Marc McNulty opened the scoring seven minutes after the restart with Jamal Campbell-Ryce doubling up just over halfway through the second period. Preston earned a late consolation goal through Josh Brownhill.

Nineteen-to-two says the pair`s second game at Bramhall Lane will end 2-1 (32red, 888sport, Betvictor, unibet) to United again whilst 17/5 with Bwin says that exactly three goals will be netted in the match. betfair and Coral have odds of evens on both teams scoring at some point during the 90 minutes.

Both sides have played one game since their FA Cup meeting, United facing off against promotion hopefuls Swindon and Grayson`s side travelling to struggling Crawley Town.

The Blades were successful in their efforts against the Robins thanks to a second half brace from substitute Jamie Murphy. The 25-year-old is a 20/1 shout with bet365 to grab his second consecutive brace or better tomorrow evening. North End, however, fell to a disappointing and unlikely defeat, Lee Fowler scoring a last minute winner for Crawley after Paul Huntingdon levelled up following Anthony Wordsworth`s opener. United are unbeaten in six games at home in all competitions, a run that has included a win against Premier League high-flyers Southampton (1-0) and Europa League hopefuls Tottenham (2-2), both these encounters coming in the League Cup.

Preston`s result against Crawley means that they are without a win in four games in all competitions away from home.

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02/02/2015     © Frixo 2026