Sheffield United vs Burnley predictions: Take Clarets to land survival lifeline

Steve Davies
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Burnley coach Vincent Kompany will look for yet another win over Sheffield United
Burnley coach Vincent Kompany will look for yet another win over Sheffield United

- Sheffield United's last home win was over four months ago
- Burnley have only lost one of their last six matches
- Recommended bet:
Burnley win

Sheffield United and Burnley have brutal run-ins, so know only a win will do when they lock horns at Bramall Lane in the Premier League on Saturday.

Both clubs have only managed a solitary win each since Christmas though Burnley's marginally better form plus good memories of their last meeting might just hand them an edge.

Team news

Jayden Bogle, the last recognised fit wing-back at United's disposal, limped off at Brentford last week and is a doubt.

It could mean that Chris Wilder, already missing at least eight first-teamers, could tear up his preferred 3-5-2 set-up.

Dara O'Shea, sent off in Burnley's 1-0 loss at Everton, is available again after suspension, meaning Hjalmar Ekdal should make way.

Vincent Kompany may bring back Charlie Taylor for Vitinho at left-back and has a decision to make over Ari Muric in goal after the Kosovan's recent blunders. Josh Brownhill could be recalled in midfield.

The stats

Sheffield United have won just three times this season, last winning at Bramall Lane on December 9. Burnley have managed just four wins, last winning away from Turf Moor on December 23.

United have conceded 84 goals this season and have managed just one clean sheet. Burnley have had only two clean sheets.

Burnley have led at half-time four times in away matches this season, the same number as Manchester City.

Chris Wilder will be without at least eight first-team players this weekend
Chris Wilder will be without at least eight first-team players this weekend

Prediction

Sheffield United and Burnley need wins like never before with difficult run-ins to come at the back end of tough seasons.

With no price available for the Blades to go down and Burnley 1/20, there is no encouragement for either, though the Clarets may just be worth chancing this weekend to at least take three points off the gap between them and survival.

Burnley have already duffed up United once this term, winning 5-0 at Turf Moor in December.

The Blades will protest that was pre-Chris Wilder, Paul Heckingbottom was in charge, and they played the second half with 10 men. That was true though they were already 2-0 down when Oli McBurnie saw red.

Burnley just look in slightly better form having lost just one of their last six and had keeper Ari Muric not blundered in their previous two matches at Everton and against Brighton, they could possibly be three points better off.

United cannot keep a clean sheet for love nor money, and they look so limited going forward. Their problem is that they need to show some attacking intent now, or they really are doomed.

United are crippled by injuries, and playing away from the pressure-cooker atmosphere of Turf Moor might just do the Clarets a favour.

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Tags

ChampionshipSheffield UnitedBurnley