Hull vs Sheffield United Prediction: Goals the call at the MKM

The lunchtime kick-off on Sky Sports Main Event on Saturday comes from the MKM Stadium, as Hull City host Sheffield United (12:30). Both of these teams have struggled so far this term, with the Blades rooted to the bottom of the table after a turbulent start to the season saw Ruben Selles sacked, and Chris Wilder return. 

Now the manager faces the task of dragging them up the table. Below you can find my Hull vs Sheffield United predictions for the all-Yorkshire clash. 

Team News

Former Blade Oli McBurnie will lead the line for Sergej Jakirovic after his cracking start to the season, having spent five years at Bramall Lane between 2019 and 2024. Left-back Ryan Giles has also had a fantastic start to the season with five assists, with no player in the Championship able to top that total.

He will start, along with John Egan, Charlie Hughes and Lewie Coyle in the back four ahead of Ivor Pandur in goal. They have conceded plenty of goals lately but that looks to be the first-choice defence, although Semi Ajayi is waiting in the wings if a change is made. 

Jakirovic has also been boosted by the return to fitness of Liam Millar after his ACL injury, with Joe Gelhardt also used as a substitute. The former Leeds winger could start here, but striker Enis Destan is going to have to settle for a spot on the bench once again, along with the returning Matt Crooks.

Football Odds

Sheffield United lost at home to Southampton last time out and Wilder is still trying to find his best XI, but he deployed a back five again in midweek. "Gus (Hamer) needs to be at the top of the pitch, in terms of the build, I thought we defended well with the three centre halves against a side who play risk and reward.”

Japhet Tanganga, Mark McGuinness and Ben Mee should line up as the back three, with Hamer deployed as one of two number 10s - possibly alongside Callum O’Hare behind Tyrese Campbell or Tom Cannon. 

Today's Football Fixtures

Hull vs Sheffield United Odds

Hull are priced at 13/8 to win this game, with Sheffield United available at 7/4. That gives the home side an implied win probability of 38%, but it just shows how close this one is to call - with a draw available at 23/10. 

Sheffield United have only scored three goals this season, but over 2.5 goals is 10/11 and BTTS is 4/6. McBurnie is the favourite to score first at 9/2 having scored six goals this season already. 

Sheffield United to win and BTTS @ 18/5

I actually believe we could be in for an entertaining game this Saturday, given what we have seen from Hull in recent weeks. Only Coventry and Bristol City have scored more than the 13 the Tigers have managed this term, but they have the worst defence in the league, having conceded 16 goals in eight games - one more than Sheffield United. 

I think we will see goals at the MKM, but I also think that Wilder can get another away win. The quality is absolutely apparent in this United side, and they have the stronger squad by far on paper. If he can get them to click, they should start to climb the table.

Oli McBurnie to score anytime @ 13/8

Sometimes the obvious pick is the right one. All eyes will be on McBurnie for this game, as the man who spent five years at Bramall Lane faces his former club. He’s made a cracking start to life at Hull, with six goals and three assists in eight appearances so far in black and amber putting him top of the goal contributions chart. 

He is surely going to want to make a big impression against his former manager Wilder, while Hull are set up to provide him with chances galore. Giles’ crosses from the left and McBurnie’s aerial threat are a match made in heaven, and I expect the big striker to notch against a side that have struggled to keep clean sheets this season.

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