Sheffield United contre Wrexham — Championship

**Sheffield United 1-0 Wrexham**

**What set this match apart:** This match was more unusual than 76% of matches, with the atypicality primarily driven by build-up (43%) and defending (31%). The most striking contrast appeared in the defensive actions: few tackles were made in the match (35 in total, 27th percentile of the two teams' joint volume), but Wrexham was clearly ahead with 27 to Sheffield United's 8, a +19 gap at the 99th percentile of gaps. Conversely, the build-up was defined by a massive disparity in corners: few corners were taken in the match (7 in total, 5th percentile of the two teams' joint volume), but Sheffield United was clearly ahead with 7 to Wrexham's 0, a +7 gap at the 94th percentile of gaps.

**How it played out:** Sheffield United exerted significant territorial control, completing 242 passes in the opponent's half compared to Wrexham's 119, a +123 gap at the 84th percentile of gaps. Wrexham, meanwhile, opted for a more patient build-up from the back, completing 236 passes in their own half to Sheffield United's 128, a +108 gap at the 88th percentile of gaps. Both sides were active on the flanks, recording a high volume of accurate crosses (13 in total, 94th percentile of joint volume), with Sheffield United making 8 to Wrexham's 5, a +3 gap at the 75th percentile of gaps. Sheffield United also bypassed the midfield more frequently, completing 34 accurate long balls to Wrexham's 22, a +12 gap at the 84th percentile of gaps. In the final third, both teams did a lot of shots inside the box (Sheffield United 11, Wrexham 8; 19 in total, 85th percentile of the two teams' joint volume), but few shots on target were recorded in the match, and Sheffield United was clearly ahead with 4 to Wrexham's 1, a +3 gap at the 78th percentile of gaps. Few successful dribbles were recorded in the match (10 in total, 20th percentile of joint volume), but Sheffield United was clearly ahead with 7 to Wrexham's 3, a +4 gap at the 81st percentile of gaps.

**Verdict:** The fair probabilities are Sheffield United win 44%, draw 34%, and Wrexham win 22%. With the probabilities so close, every outcome was plausible and no result would have been scandalous. The 1-0 result is not surprising, especially given that Sheffield United had 4 shots on target to Wrexham's 1.