Sheffield United vs Preston Prediction: Home side back to keep on winning

Sheffield United resume their hunt for an automatic promotion place in the Championship on Saturday as they host Preston North End at Bramall Lane (15:00). After Burnley’s win at Cardiff in midweek, the gap between the two sits at just two points, but the Blades haven’t given up hope on catching Leeds, with just three points between themselves and the league leaders. 

With each passing gameweek the pressure increases, and below you can find my Sheffield United vs Preston predictions. 

Team News

Chris Wilder saw his side gain an impressive away win at QPR last weekend, so he should name a similar XI here. Harry Clarke and Alfie Gilchrist are two major defensive absentees so Hamza Choudhury could continue at right-back, or Femi Seriki could come in after he came off the bench at Loftus Road. 

Tyrese Campbell should lead the line again having scored his seventh of the season last time out, with Kieffer Moore and Tom Cannon options from the bench. Gustavo Hamer, Callum O’Hare and Ben Brereton Diaz should support the in-form front man. 

Sydie Peck will join Vinicius Souza in the middle of the park with Tom Davies likely to be named as a substitute, but Rhys Norrington-Davies has suffered a new injury to add to Wilder’s defensive headache and Oli Arblaster remains out for the long-term. 

Preston’s injury list is pretty sizeable right now, as Paul Heckingbottom attempts to get a team out on the pitch. Jordan Storey, Jack Whatmough, Ben Whiteman, Duane Holmes, Mads Frokjaer-Jensen and Stefan Thordarson are all out of action right now, while there was bad news in midweek as Ali McCann was forced off with an issue. 

If he isn’t fit to play, Brad Potts and Ryan Ledson could make up the midfield, with Sam Greenwood set to support Milutin Osmajic and one of Emil Riis Jakobsen or Will Keane up top. 

Sheffield United vs Preston Odds

Sheffield United are priced at 4/6 to win this game, giving them an implied win probability of 60%. They’ve won 12 out of 17 at Bramall Lane this term, while Preston have been priced as the outsiders at 4/1. A draw can be backed at 3/1 while BTTS is 11/10. 

Over 2.5 goals has only come in during 37% of United’s games so far this term, and that’s priced at 11/10, while if you fancy a first goalscorer, Tom Cannon and Tyrese Campbell are joint-favourites at 9/2. 

Sheffield United to win to nil @ 7/5 

I’ve got to back the home side to come out on top here, and I’ll back them to keep a clean sheet in the process. I love the job that Wilder has done this season and with his January additions, they are now well in contention for an automatic promotion spot. Their home form has been exceptional this term, they’ve only lost three home games this season and I can’t see that changing here.

The Blades have a wonderful midfield but their defence is also extremely impressive and they’ve only conceded 13 goals in 17 home league fixtures this term. Meanwhile, PNE have only won three away games this term and I just think the level in quality between these two will become apparent on Saturday afternoon. The home side should have no trouble keeping pace with Leeds and Burnley this weekend. 

Bet Builder - Sheffield United to win, Gustavo Hamer to score and get booked @ 22/1

Let’s put a spicy Bet Builder together to finish our tips. Obviously I think Sheffield United will win this game so let’s focus on the Hamer part of this selection. The bulldog midfielder has been placed on the left-hand side of midfield by Wilder and although it’s not his preferred position, his quality still shines through. 

In terms of cards, no player in the Championship has received more than the 11 yellows Hamer has picked up this season, so it makes perfect sense to back him to pick up another one here. I also fancy the former Coventry man to find the net here given his advanced position in this Sheffield United team. He’s got seven goals to his name so far this term and given I think the Blades will dominate this fixture, I think he’s a good price to get on the scoresheet. 

Offers

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