Sheffield United vs Ipswich Prediction: Can title chasers make it five wins in a row?

Sheffield United looked like they were on course to climb the table and push for the play-offs, but they’ve now lost back-to-back games and will be looking to avoid a nightmare week as they host high-flying Ipswich Town (15:00 GMT).

Below you can find my Sheffield United vs Ipswich predictions as the Blades look to halt Ipswich’s promotion charge. 

Team News

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder is likely to make changes to his 4-4-2 system here after a tepid midweek performance against Southampton. I’d expect Sam McCallum, Patrick Bamford, Andre Brooks and Femi Seriki to come into the XI, with Harrison Burrows, Ki-Jana Hoever, Tahith Chong and Tyrese Campbell the likely candidates to miss out. 

Gustavo Hamer came off the bench at Southampton and continues to be linked with a move away from the club, Djibril Soumare and Japhet Tanganga remain suspended after their red cards while Jairo Riedeweld is injured. 

Football Odds

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna saw his side beat Bristol City in midweek, and we can expect a similar XI to turn out here. With star man Jaden Philogene ruled out until March, Jack Clarke is going to have to continue his fine form on the left, while Marcelino Nunez has made the number 10 spot his own. 

George Hirst may come in to lead the line ahead of Ivan Azon, and Sindre Walle Egeli should replace Wes Burns on the right, but it looks like the rest of the team will remain unchanged. New arrival Anis Mehmeti is likely going to feature from the bench. 

Today's Football Fixtures

Sheffield United vs Ipswich Odds

Sheffield United are priced at 2/1 to win this game, while Ipswich are 11/8 favourites to win this one. That gives the away side an implied win probability of 42%, while a draw is 9/4. 

Over 2.5 goals is 1/1, BTTS is 8/11 and Hirst is the favourite to open the scoring at 9/2. 

Ipswich to win @ 11/8

Given what we’ve seen from these two teams recently, I think we simply have to back the away side to come away with all three points. They’ve won their last four games in a row to pile the pressure on Coventry and Boro, who have both responded well, but they have the strongest squad in this division by some margin. 

Philogene is out and will be a miss but Clarke has stepped up to the plate and now Mehmeti will strengthen the attack. Sheffield United have lost their last two games without scoring and have a couple of key suspensions, so I’ll back Ipswich to get five wins in a row. 

Jack Clarke (IPS) to score anytime @ 9/4

The left winger scored twice in midweek to take his tally for the season to 10, and that is pretty impressive given he has shared minutes with Philogene this term. I think he’s really going to kick on now that competition is sidelined. 

He’s scored three goals in his last three starts, and with the number nine not producing loads of goals for Ipswich, I think the former Sunderland man is a massive price to find the net here. Ipswich should have too much for the Blades, and Clarke can strike again. 

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