Averaging the two sides' own rates: over 2.5 goals in 58% of their games, both teams scoring in 62%, and a two-goal lead for one side or the other in 48%. On the record this leans a goals match.
Preston North End: 50 league matches in the bank, 13 from this season and the rest from last season. Sheffield United: 50 league matches in the bank, 13 from this season and the rest from last season.
The question this step asks
Step four is THE BOOKIES' FAVOURITE MARKETS -- over and under, both teams to score, and the two-goal lead that pays the 2UP offer out early -- read from what these two sides have actually produced, with the denominator on every figure. Still no price: these are the match's tendencies, not its odds.
How the counting works, once for the whole step: every figure is counted over ONE side's own matches -- Preston North End's numbers over its games, Sheffield United's over its own. The two clubs are never pooled into one denominator; where a single figure for this fixture is wanted, it is the AVERAGE of the two sides' rates, and says so.
For the 2UP offer the fact that matters is a two-goal lead for one team or the other at ANY point, not the final margin. In Preston North End's own 24 home matches read, one appeared in 12 (50%). In Sheffield United's own 24 away matches read, 11 (46%). Averaging the two sides' rates -- never pooling their matches -- that is 48% of games.
The two sides
Preston North End -- at home
Over and under
Over 2.5 goals in 27 of its own 50 (54%); over 1.5 in 42 (84%); over 3.5 in 14 (28%). At home: over 2.5 in 12 of its 24 (50%).
Both teams to score
Both teams scored in 31 of its own 50 (62%). At home: 15 of its 24 (62%).
Clean sheets and blanks
Kept a clean sheet in 5 of its own 50 (10%); failed to score in 15 (30%).
Two goals clear
Counted over Preston North End's own 50 matches read: Preston North End or the side it was playing that day went two goals up in 27 (54%). Preston North End itself held the lead in 9, winning 8. In its home matches: one side or the other went two up in 12 of 24.
Sheffield United -- away
Over and under
Over 2.5 goals in 31 of its own 50 (62%); over 1.5 in 39 (78%); over 3.5 in 17 (34%). Away: over 2.5 in 13 of its 24 (54%).
Both teams to score
Both teams scored in 31 of its own 50 (62%). Away: 14 of its 24 (58%).
Clean sheets and blanks
Kept a clean sheet in 14 of its own 50 (28%); failed to score in 8 (16%).
Two goals clear
Counted over Sheffield United's own 50 matches read: Sheffield United or the side it was playing that day went two goals up in 25 (50%). Sheffield United itself held the lead in 17, winning 14. In its away matches: one side or the other went two up in 11 of 24.
Built 10:31 from matches completed before
kick-off. Every figure is an observed count with its denominator —
not a forecast, and nothing here is a tip or a selection.