Sheffield United vs Hull City Prediction: Blades to win again

Sheffield United were briefly at the summit in the Championship in midweek following their victory over Swansea City. They have returned to second place as a result of Leeds United's victory over Norwich City. The Blades can return to the top of the tree again on Friday (20:00, Sky Sports Main Event) when they welcome Hull City to Bramall Lane.

The Tigers have won just one of their last four matches in the second tier but there have been signs of improvement from Ruben Selles' side. Check out my Sheffield United vs Hull City prediction below, supported by the latest match odds and team news.

Sheffield United vs Hull City Odds

Sheffield United head into this fixture off the back of three consecutive wins in the league. They are 3/5 to prevail on Friday. If you seek greater value with a Blades win, backing them to win to nil at 6/4 (which has an implied probability of 40%), is enticing because it has struck in 15 of their 18 victories to date in the Championship.

Hull are 9/2 to come away with the three points, and they have won their last two away trips in the second tier. The draw is on offer at 11/4, which has occurred at Bramall Lane twice this campaign.

The hosts have kept 16 clean sheets from their 28 appearances in the league so far, and they are 21/20 to record another one on Friday night.

Football Odds

Team News

Blades boss Chris Wilder is without influential midfielder Gustavo Hamer against Hull due to a suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards. Oliver Arblaster and Kieffer Moore remain sidelined through injury, while Tom Davies is a doubt to feature with a physical issue of his own.

Their top scorer Tyrese Campbell returned from a lay-off to make the bench at Swansea City on Tuesday, so he could be handed a start against the Tigers. Vinicius Souza and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi are nearing a return to fitness, and the pair could be involved in this match.

If declared fit to play, Souza could be thrown straight back into the midfield to partner Sydie Peck. Rak-Sakyi would provide Wilder with another attacking option, but we could see Campbell lead the line, supported by Rhian Brewster, Callum O'Hare and Ben Brereton Diaz. Although, youngster Andre Brooks will be hoping to maintain his place in the attack.

Hull have quite a lengthy injury list to deal with at the moment, with Charlie Hughes, Lewie Coyle, Kasey Palmer, Mohamed Belloumi, Liam Millar and Ryan Longman all cooped up in the medical bay.

Although, reports this month have suggested that Longman is on his way out of the club, with League 1 promotion-chasers Wrexham trying to land his signature.

Selles will be forced into a change between the sticks following Brighton & Hove Albion's decision to recall Carl Rushworth from his loan spell to cover the injury to Jason Steele. Ivor Pandur is expected to play in goal for the Tigers as a result.

Former Blade Regan Slater might be hoping to feature against his former employers, but he could be replaced in the midfield by Xavier Simons.

At the top end of the pitch, January additions Matt Crooks, Kyle Joseph and Nordin Amrabat will rival each other for the attacking positions alongside Mason Burstow, after Joe Gelhardt, Gustavo Puerta and Harry Vaughan featured behind Joao Pedro on Tuesday against Queens Park Rangers.

Sheffield United and under 2.5 goals @ 12/5

Sheffield United have been an impressive force this season but it is very rare that we seen them blow an opponent away. Only one of their victories has been by a three-goal margin, and 14 of them have produced under 2.5 goals.

Of those 14, nine have come at Bramall Lane, including last Saturday's 2-0 triumph over Norwich. The Blades have been strong when playing at home and they have only failed to win here on three occasions.

They host a Hull side who are improving but are still struggling at the bottom end of the table. They have prevailed in their last two trips but they were against Millwall and Blackburn Rovers. They face a much sterner test against Sheffield United, who are on a winning streak of three matches.

Under 2.5 goals has struck in four of the Tigers' previous six contests in the second tier, and so I think this market combined with a Blades win, offers good value.

Sheffield United clean sheet @ 21/20

Having touched on this earlier, Sheffield United have kept 16 clean sheets in their 28 Championship appearances so far, which amounts to 57 per cent. Of those 16, 10 have come on home soil, further highlighting just how disciplined the Blades have been at Bramall Lane.

I think their defence will be able to handle Hull's attacking players, like they have done with so many other teams who have visited them so far, and I am backing them to record another shutout.

Offers

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