Sheffield United vs Leicester City Prediction: Blades to heap more pressure on Cifuentes

Two teams who have been in the Premier League recently and are desperate to get back there face off as Sheffield United host Leicester (17:30 GMT, Sky Sports Football) in a blockbuster second-tier affair. The Blades were 3-2 winners when these two teams met in the reverse fixture recently and they are aiming to carry on their push up the table by following up.

Here are my Sheffield United vs Leicester predictions including team news and the latest odds.

Team News

Sheffield United are set to be without Ben Mee, Tom Davies and Sydie Peck through injury. Patrick Bamford was rested for Tom Cannon in the Blades’ win over Stoke but should return to the starting lineup.

For Leicester, Patson Daka is away at the Africa Cup of Nations and Harry Souttar is suffering from an ankle injury. Hamza Choudhury and Aaron Ramsey are both doubts as well.

Football Odds

Today's Football Fixtures

Sheffield United vs Leicester Odds

Sheffield United are 3/5 to get their fifth straight league win, with the draw at Bramall Lane priced at 11/4 and Norwich City 18/5for a much-needed three points.

Both teams to score is priced at 8/11 and has obliged in Norwich's last six league games, while over 2.5 goals trades at 8/11.

Sheffield United to win @ 5/6

Sheffield United had a disastrous start to the season but they have been much better as of late, winning six of their last nine games.

They bounced back from a disappointing away loss to Wrexham with a 2-1 success over play-off hopefuls Stoke last time out and look a decent bet to do the double over Leicester, whose manager Marti Cifuentes is under pressure after a disappointing campaign back in the Championship.

The Foxes are in midtable after winning nine of their first 24 games of the season, losing two of their last three against QPR and Watford.

Defensively they have been far too open, failing to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 18 games. That could be their undoing against a Sheffield United team who have scored at least three times in six of their last nine outings.

Patrick Bamford to anytime @ 13/10

The unlikely alliance of Bamford and Wilder is flourishing. The Blades boss has admitted he's already investigating the possibility of increasing the initial short-term deal for the 32-year-old striker, who was released by Leeds in the summer.

The forward scored his first goal for 19 months in the win over Portsmouth in late November and, after being benched for the win at Leicester, he was on the scoresheet again when recalled for Saturday's demolition of play-off chasers Stoke.

With home advantage again, Bamford should retain his starting spot and he's clearly enjoying his time with the Blades.

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