Blades can cut path to Wembley

[sake]

In a week of upsets, Sheffield United look a big price to spring another against Spurs in the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg on Wednesday.


Sheffield United to qualify for the final

I know I'll be accused of getting carried away following Saturday's day of seismic FA Cup shocks, but I'm genuinely surprised to see Sheffield United priced up at 13/2 to qualify for the Capital One Cup final.

The team from the third tier head into Wednesday's second leg of their tie with Spurs trailing 1-0 so have to win the game in 90 minutes to stand any chance of reaching Wembley.

However, the way they went about their task in last week's first leg will surely give them great hope of once again bridging the gap to the Premier League.

Saturday's FA Cup results showed that is certainly possible, despite the widely-espoused view that the gap is wider than ever these days.

Crucially, United themselves have shown time and again over the last 18 months that they have the ability to compete with sides in the top flight.

Aston Villa and Fulham were both beaten in last season's FA Cup, QPR in this campaign. And in the Capital One Cup, West Ham and Southampton have both been put to the sword. Has any third-division side ever had such a fine record in such a short space of time?
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Essentially the Blades have proved they can compete at this level, while specifically they matched Wednesday's opponents just seven days ago.

They worked hard to nullify the hosts' threat while still managing to offer something going forward and the tactics were carried out very much to boss Nigel Clough's liking. Spurs struggled to get any width into their game and could not find a way through the middle where Louis Reed showed why he's so highly regarded.

Had it not been for an pretty inexplicable handball by Jay McEveley in the second half, there appeared every chance the game would end goalless.

What it does mean is that United can't win this tie on away goals, which, unlike most competitions, will only kick into effect after extra time.

However, Spurs have not kept a clean sheet in their last 11 away games in all competitions and so there is good reason to feel the Blades can trouble the visitors.

Jamie Murphy worked hard and ran the channels when possible at White Hart Lane, while fellow forward Marc McNulty has bagged three goals in his last four games at Bramall Lane where the 30,000 crowd won't exactly hurt their chances.

I've mentioned in previous previews how Spurs have managed to grind out results without seriously impressing on any occasion bar their recent win over Chelsea, the vast majority of their wins coming via a one-goal margin.

With Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen both capable of producing something special in their own ways, that could well happen again but for me there's some value in the 13/2 about the Blades making it to Wembley.

A small play might just reward at big odds.