Sheffield United vs Sunderland Prediction: Campbell is on fire

Sheffield United have the chance to return to the top of the Championship table on Friday night (20:00, Sky Sports Football) when they welcome Sunderland to Bramall Lane. A point would do the job but the Blades will want three to put pressure on current leaders Leeds United.

The hosts were comfortable 3-0 winners here on Tuesday against Oxford United, so will hope for more of the same. Sunderland were the latest side to be held to a goalless draw against West Bromwich Albion in their latest outing, extending their run of stalemates to five games. Read on for my Sheffield United vs Sunderland prediction, featuring the latest match odds and team news.

Sheffield United vs Sunderland Odds

Sheffield United are 1/1 to win this match, which gives them a theoretical chance of 50%. Sunderland are priced at 3/1 to get back to winning ways, giving them an implied probability of 25%. The draw is available at 23/10 (30.3%).

Both teams to score can be backed at 10/11 and over 2.5 goals is on offer at 6/5.

Sheffield United forward Tyrese Campbell has netted five goals in the second tier so far, and he is 5/1 to open the scoring on Friday. Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor also has five for the campaign, and he is 3/1 to score anytime at Bramall Lane.

Football Odds

Team News

Blades boss Chris Wilder remains without the services of Ollie Arblaster, Kieffer Moore and Rhian Brewster due to injury.

Sydie Peck has been operating in midfield alongside Vinicius Souza since Arblaster ruptured his ACL and this partnership should continue against the Black Cats. Losing two of your striking options in Moore and Brewster is a blow, but it's not so bad at the moment because of the excellent form of Campbell in front of goal.

Defender Anel Ahmedhodzic continues to serve the suspension he picked up for his reckless behaviour in the 2-2 draw with Coventry City last weekend. Jack Robinson should continue to deputise for the Bosnian alongside Harry Souttar in the heart of the back line.

Harrison Burrows is expected to return at left-back after Sam McCallum started there against Oxford last time out. Femi Seriki is likely to remain on the right side of defence but will face competition from Chelsea loanee Alfie Gilchrist.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Gustavo Hamer and Callum O'Hare should continue in the attacking positions to support front man Campbell, with Rak-Sakyi having scored in the last two matches.

For Sunderland, they have a lengthy injury list heading into Friday which could highlight their recent form. Romaine Mundle, Alan Browne, Jenson Seelt, Dennis Cirkin, Niall Huggins and Ian Poveda are all ruled out for the trip to Yorkshire.

Trai Hume, Dan Ballard, Chris Mepham and Luke O'Nien should continue as the back four for the Black Cats at Bramall Lane. Jobe Bellingham and Dan Neil are likely to partner up in midfield again as Chris Rigg moves higher up the pitch in light of the injury crisis.

He'll likely join Patrick Roberts and Eliezer Mayenda in support of striker Isidor.

Sheffield United to win @ 1/1

Bramall Lane has been a fortress for the Blades thus far as they are yet to be beaten in eight matches. Seven of those games have seen them come away with the three points, with Queens Park Rangers the only side to earn a draw here - and that came right at the start of the campaign.

It has been seven wins on the bounce for Chris Wilder's side in S2 and I think that run can extend against fellow promotion-chasers Sunderland on Friday. The hosts have more of their key players available than the Black Cats, and Regis Le Bris' team are stuck in a cycle of draws.

The good thing is I can see that ending here, just not in the way they would like. After scoring three goals in the week, Sheffield United's attackers are looking sharp at the moment, and this could serve them well against Sunderland.

The team are in excellent form, having won five of their last six matches in the league, and that momentum at this stage of the season can go a long way as we begin to enter the hectic festive period.

Sheffield United are also a strong defensive unit, having conceded just nine goals in their opening 17 fixtures. Apart from the two goals they conceded against QPR back in August, they have kept a clean sheet in their last seven matches at Bramall Lane, highlighting the task that Sunderland have ahead of them on Friday.

For that reason, I think the home side are worth backing to win again, and I think 1/1 offers excellent value given the circumstances.

Tyrese Campbell anytime goalscorer @ 2/1

This man has been in excellent form in the past few weeks and he has made himself integral to the way that the Blades play. His five league goals have come in his last six appearances, and he has found the back of the net in the last three fixtures.

Campbell is going to be full of confidence heading into this one and with the form he is in, you wouldn't want to be tasked with marking him as an opposition defender. Sunderland's back line are going to have their work cut out for them in trying to keep him quiet on Friday, but unfortunately I just can't see that happening.

The former Stoke City man has found his feet at Bramall Lane and I think he's only going to get better. I have him to score again.

Offers

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