Sheffield United vs Burnley predictions: Blades to march on
- No team has won more Championship games than Sheffield United’s 15
- The Blades have won nine of their last 11 matches
- Recommended bet: Sheffield United to win
Sheffield United and Burnley are two of the teams in the thick of the promotion battle in the Championship and the pair meet at Bramall Lane on Boxing Day looking to enhance their chances of going up.
The Blades have been handed a major boost as a takeover by COH Sports has gone through, meaning this will be the first game that the table toppers will play under their new ownership.
Team news
Oliver Arblaster, Femi Seriki and Tyrese Campbell are all set to be sidelined for Sheffield United through injury while Anel Ahmedhodzic and Vinicius Souza are both rated doubtful after missing out the 2-0 win at Cardiff last time out.
Burnley have a number of injury issues, particularly in attacking areas. Enock Agyei, Manuel Benson, Jordan Beyer, Aaron Ramsey, Nathan Redmond and Mike Tresor are all expected to miss this trip to Bramall Lane.
Lyle Foster is nearing a return from a knee injury but this game will come too soon for him.
The stats
No team has scored in more of their Championship games than Sheffield United have this season (19 in 22).
Burnley have lost six of their last eight league matches on Boxing Day.
Sheffield United have won five of their last six games without conceding.
These two teams have the best defensive records in the second tier, with Burnley conceding just nine times and the Blades leaking just 11 goals.
Sheffield United have won nine and drawn just one of their 10 home league games this term, with all of those victories coming with a clean sheet since the 2-2 draw with QPR in their home opener.
Prediction
Sheffield United have been dominant at home this season, winning nine of their 10 matches at Bramall Lane in the league, and they should be able to extend that record against Burnley.
The visitors have been solid this season and are also chasing promotion but they may come unstuck against a Blades side that has won nine of their last 11 games, drawing the other two.
The hosts will also be boosted by the completion of their takeover happening just days before this match and there should be a raucous atmosphere in the steel city.
Burnley have a number of injuries in attacking areas and have failed to win two of their last four games.
The Clarets are clearly one of the best sides in the division but they may struggle to lay a glove on a Blades side that have also been rock solid at the back.
The home team are fancied to edge what should be an ultra-competitive affair at the top of the second tier.
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