Sheffield United vs Burnley Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Location: Bramall Lane

Date: 20/04/24

Kick-off: 3.00 pm
Sheffield United host Burnley at the weekend with both teams desperately needing a win to give themselves a slim chance of avoiding relegation. The fixture between the sides is one of three fixtures, where six of the bottom seven will be pitted against each other.

The game at Bramall Lane sees last season’s top two in the Championship come head-to-head in contrasting circumstances to when they faced each other at the same time last year. Both sides are lumbered to the bottom of the Premier League, although a win for either side will essentially condemn the other to the prospect of relegation.
Sheffield United have had turbulent season on and off the pitch. The Blades have recently been imposed a two-point deduction for the next time they will be in the EFL, which Chris Wilder will have to navigate around if he’s still at the club. Wilder re-joined the club, replacing Paul Heckingbottom and now it would appear Wilder be suffering his second relegation with the Blades from the Premier League.

The hosts are currently bottom of the league as it stands, although you could argue that performances have at least improved somewhat under the management of Chris Wilder. Under Heckingbottom the club only had five points from 15 games, whereas Wilder has obtained 11 points from 17. Sheffield United currently have 16 points from 32 games, however they do have a game in hand over Burnley.

Defensively speaking, the Blades have been extremely poor in that regard. The hosts have conceded 84 goals in 32 games – which averages at 2.6 goals per game. The Blades have been on the receiving end of some horrific results including an 8-0 loss at home to Newcastle United.

A win for the home side, would leave them bottom of the league still, although they would move on to 19 points and would require a bizarre set of results to give themselves an outside chance of survival.

The visitors head to Bramall Lane, knowing that nothing else but a win would ultimately scupper any chances of survival they may have. Burnley were the dominant champions of the English second tier last season and now they on course to return at the first time of asking.

The Clarets are currently 19th, having played a game more than their opponents with 33 on the board. Burnley are four points above Sheffield United and are only five points away from Luton Town. A win would move them further clearer of their opponents, with the hope that Luton Town will drop points at home to Brentford.

Burnley’s time in the Premier League has been frustrating for Vincent Kompany to say the least. Despite the poor performances, they’ve been aided by the financial penalties imposed onto Everton and Nottingham Forest which has given them cautious optimism.

Vincent Kompany’s side have obtained 20 points this season from 33 games played – which gives them an average of 0.6 points per game. Defensively, hey have been marginally better than their opposition, conceding 68 goals this season. Burnley boasts a better average of 2.1 goals conceded to Sheffield United’s 2.6. The away side have scored 33 goals this season, three goals greater than their opponents.

The previous game between the two teams finished in a resounding win for Burnley. Vincent Kompany’s men were 5-0 winners over the Blades. Sheffield United were down to ten men on the stroke of half-time when Oliver McBurnie was dismissed.

The recent history in this fixture suggests a win for the away side. Burnley have won three out of their last five against the Blades, with the hosts winning the two remaining fixtures.
This corresponding fixture last season produced one of the highest scoring games in the Championship that season. Sheffield United were the winners that day by a 5-2 score line. Oliver McBurnie scored a brace that day to give Sheffield United the win.

Interestingly, there is a recurring theme with the winner of this fixture. In the last five meetings between the two sides, the home team has won every single time. The last time the scheduled away side won this fixture in the league was back in 2008. Burnley won 3-2 that day at Bramall Lane thanks to goals from Martin Paterson, Chris Eagles and Graham Alexander from the penalty spot.

Sheffield United enter this game on the back of a 2-0 defeat against Brentford. The visitors to Brentford for that game, evenly matched their opponents that on the statistics. An own goal from Oliver Arblaster and a late Frank Onkeya goal consigned the Blades to another defeat.

Following the defeat away from home against Brentford, Chris Wilder’s side are now winless in eight games. The Blades have produced some spirited performances, most notably securing 2-2 draws against Chelsea and AFC Bournemouth respectively.

Sheffield United’s home form is only marginally better than their away form, which could provide a good omen for them at the weekend. The hosts have averaged 0.63 points per game; however, their last home victory was back in December where they beat Brentford 1-0.

As for the visitors, they head into this game having only lost one of their last five games. The loss however was against fellow relegation candidates Everton at Goodison Park. The disappointing note for Vincent Kompany is that three of those five games in question, have resulted in three draws.

The two most recent games have highlighted their issues in the goalkeeping department this season. The under-fire James Trafford was replaced by Arijanet Muric in recent weeks and the Kosovan was unfortunately responsible for two points being dropped against Brighton in their most recent game.

There has been an improvement in recent weeks in terms of results for Burnley. Despite the defeat at Goodison Park, they have obtained some credible results including 2-2 draws away at West Ham United and Chelsea respectively. The point gained at Chelsea is even more impressive considering they down to ten men just before half time.

Surprisingly, Burnley’s away form is just marginally greater than their home form. The Clarets have averaged 0.63 points per game away from Turf Moor, in comparison to their 0.59 points per game obtained.

Sheffield United

John Egan and Chris Basham are both ruled out for this game with injuries. Chris Wilder does have suspension concerns over the likes of Gustavo Hamer, Anel Ahmedhodzic and Jayden Bogle.

Burnley

Luca Koleosho and Jordan Beyer remain unavailable for Vincent Kompany ahead of this pivotal relegation clash.
Burnley have no suspension concerns.

Burnley’s recent results and performances gives them the slight edge in this game we feel. The worry for Vincent Kompany is that individual mistakes could cost them in this game, but we are saying 2-1 to Burnley.
Sheffield United 1-2 Burnley