Sheff Utd vs Newcastle predictions: Blades in for another tough time
- None of Sheffield United's four losses this term have featured more than three goals
- The Blades have won just one of their last seven games against Newcastle
- Recommended bet: Newcastle to win & under 3.5 goals
Two injury-time goals sunk Sheffield United at Tottenham last week and Paul Heckingbottom will have to lift his charges for Newcastle's visit on Sunday.
The Blades are still looking for their first win since promotion, but they have been competitive in most of those outings and Newcastle, who finished fourth last year, have struggled to live up to the hype this term.
A 5-1 opening win over Aston Villa was just the ticket, but they have been underwhelming since and head to Bramall Lane a few days after a goalless draw at Milan in the Champions League.
Team news
The Blades will be without striker Oli McBurnie following his late red card at Tottenham last week and manager Heckingbottom will also have to deal with a lengthy injury list.
The absentees include Daniel Jebbison, Max Lowe, John Egan, Ben Osborn, George Baldock, John Fleck, Rhian Brewster and Rhys Norrington-Davies.
Newcastle could have Martin Dubravka available after illness but Joe Willock, Emil Krafth and Joelinton will not make it.
The big decision for manager Eddie Howe is whether he fields Sweden's Alexander Isak up front or calls upon England international Callum Wilson.
The stats
Both teams have scored in each of Sheffield United's last four league games and the Blades have not kept a clean sheet in their last eight league matches.
None of Sheffield United's four defeats have featured more than three goals but Newcastle have only scored a combined three goals in their last four league games.
Sheffield United have won just one of their last seven games against Newcastle.
Newcastle's Anthony Gordon has been booked in four of his five league appearances.
Prediction
Newcastle have struggled to live up to their early promise and three goals in their last four league games suggest Eddie Howe's side are not firing on all cylinders.
They needed a fortunate penalty decision to get the better of Brentford in their last game, but with rich striking resources available, it should not be long before they hit top gear.
The competition between striker Isak and Callum Wilson should bring the best out in both players and that looks bad news for Sheffield United, who have yet to make their mark after promotion.
The Blades earned a draw against Everton, who themselves look like potential strugglers, and nearly held on at Tottenham last week, but it is a big ask to see off a team who qualified for the Champions League last term.
The visitors have not been scoring many goals after getting off to a flyer against Villa in their opener, so they may not run away with it, so backing them to win and under 3.5 goals in the game looks the way forward.
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