Mark Lawrenson has made his Premier League predictions for Manchester City v Sheffield United.
The Blades are looking to make history at the Etihad Stadium by avoiding defeat. They are unbeaten in their nine away league games so far this season. No newly promoted top flight team since Burnley in 1947/48 has achieved that.
If they don’t lose to City then that will become the first side to do that in ten straight matches.
It’s a tough ask, with Pep Guardiola’s men the reigning English champions. However, they are on the back of a 3-2 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That was their fifth loss already this term. They have lost twice at home during that time – to Wolves and Manchester United. They have also drawn at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
What Lawro thinks will happen in Manchester City v Sheffield United
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In typical fashion the BBC Sport pundit has predicted an emphatic victory for Man City. And yet another defeat for the Blades.
“Sheffield United have not been beaten in any of their nine away league games so far, but this is by far and away their toughest assignment to date,” Lawro wrote in his column.
“If City play anywhere near as well as we know they can, they will have too much firepower for the Blades.
“I am not expecting United to make life easy for them, because they will be solid and well organised, and they are a clever side.
“But the teams who have beaten City at Etihad Stadium this season – Wolves and Manchester United – undid them using absolute pace, and Chris Wilder’s side do not have that in their attack.”
Lawro thinks the visitors will lose 3-0. Yet he has already predicted 13 losses for them in 2019/20. In his table, the Blades would be second bottom with 14 points – rather than seventh with 29.
As for City, Lawro has predicted 18 wins and one defeat for them this campaign. He thinks they’d have 54 points at this stage. They have 38.