Pundits Charlie Nicholas and Mark Lawrenson have both predicted that the Blades will lose out this weekend against Burnley.
Charlie Nicholas – (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
The Clarets travel to Bramall Lane looking to go above Chris Wilder’s men in the table. A win for Sean Dyche’s charges would lift them above the Blades, who currently sit in eighth.
Burnley have lost their last two games. Defeats against both Leicester and Chelsea have seen them dip to 13th in the Premier League table. However, they do still sit just a solitary point behind United.
The Blades, on the other hand, have gone unbeaten in October. A win at home against Arsenal flanked by impressive away draws at both Watford and West Ham.
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But, according to BBC pundit Lawrenson and Sky Sports’ Charlie Nicholas, United will lose out to Burnley this weekend.
What’s been said?
Speaking on their respective predictors for the BBC and Sky, both pundits fancy Sean Dyche and his team to put the last two games behind them.
“Sheffield United were poor early on in their draw with West Ham last week, but they turned it around after the break and I am sure Chris Wilder’s half-time team talk will have had something to do with it. The Blades’ home record is actually not that great – they have lost three of their five league games at Bramall Lane so far this season – and I fancy the Clarets to edge this one,” Lawrenson said.
Mark Lawrenson – (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Nicholas, meanwhile, went for an equally tight game, but backed the Clarets to win 1-0 rather than Lawrenson’s 2-1 prediction.
“Burnley and Sheffield United do not score many goals. They have two technicians at the helm in Chris Wilder and Sean Dyche, who want to defend but attack as well in differing ways and styles. I have always found that there is something about Burnley in these games and Dyche always seems to manipulate these situations, which is why Burnley have been in the Premier League for a sustained period,” he said.
Our thoughts
It’s fair enough that both pundits come up with these assumptions but to both go for an away win is quite sure of them.
There is a point to be made about United’s home form. But, and quite crucially here, Burnley haven’t won away from home all season. Add this to the fact Chris Wood could be set to miss out and the odds begin to stack against them.
Chris Wood – (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
We think United can edge this one. Chris Wilder will be desperate to make Bramall Lane a fortress. He has attacking options at his disposal, while his team don’t concede many.
Our prediction
We think Nicholas and Lawrenson have got the Blades wrong here. We’re backing a home win.
Blades 2-0 Burnley
