Stoke are unbeaten in four after winning 2-1 at Watford
Sheffield United lost 1-0 at Fleetwood in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday
Recommended bet: Over 4.5 Stoke City Shots on Target @ 6/5 with LiveScore Bet
Stoke and Sheffield United are two teams heading in different directions as they prepare to meet in the Potteries.
Mark Robins' men were in the bottom three of the Championship after losing their first three games but three wins and a draw have vaulted them up to 12th.
They have leapfrogged the Blades, who have lost two of their last three in the league and were humbled 1-0 at League Two side Fleetwood in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
Team news
Centre-back Bosun Lawal and striker Sam Gallagher could return for Stoke after missing two games each.
Blades' left-back Sam McCallum missed the 1-0 loss to Fleetwood with an injury that makes him a doubt again. Rhys Norrington-Davies could retain his place.
Matt Doherty or Hamza Choudhury vie for the right-back spot with Femi Seriki still absent. Tahith Chong and Harrison Burrows are still out.
The latest Stoke vs Sheffield United odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Stoke have taken 10 points from their last four games to jump to 12th; United are 15th and reeling from back-to-back 1-0 losses against Wolves in the Championship and Fleetwood in the Carabao Cup.
United have won a league-low 22 corners in eight games at 3.1 per game — they failed to win a single corner in last week's loss to Wolves.
Stoke have lost each of their last five fixtures against the Blades.
United have taken 58 shots in the Championship, 13 less than any other side. They have conceded 120 shots (17.1 per game) which is the division's highest total.
The latest Stoke vs Sheffield United odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Twenty of Stoke's 28 shots on target have come in their last four matches, since Mark Robins tweaked the pieces in his attacking jigsaw.
Deadline-day signings George Hirst, Jack McGlynn and Justin Devenny have added real zip to an attack where Lamine Cisse is starting to flourish while Million Manhoef is a constant threat.
Since the start of September the Potters have won three and drawn the other and can forget their losing start to the season, especially as two of their three losses were against likely promotion contenders Southampton and Wolves.
They have to fancy they can beat Chris Wilder's limping Blades' outfit, who have failed to win five of seven in the league and were stunned 1-0 at Fleetwood on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup.
This is a short turnaround for a team who are struggling, especially in attack — they boast the fewest shots per 90 (8.3) and corners (3.1) of all sides in the division.
And they are surprisingly easy to break down, too. No team has conceded more shots per 90 (17.1) than the Blades — even League Two Fleetwood fired off 11 against them in midweek, five of which were on target.
They concede an average of five shots on target per game and Stoke are going at five on target over their last four matches.
The case to back Stoke is compelling enough at 7/5 with LiveScore Bet though ceaseless pressure does not always get what it deserves.
That pressure though should see the hosts go over 4.5 shots on target at 6/5 with LiveScore Bet.
Score prediction: Stoke 2-1 Sheffield United
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