Fulham vs Sheffield United predictions: Blades' lack of cutting edge will be costly

Dan Sait

Spotlight

Marco Silva has struggled to replicate last season's success with Fulham after Aleksandar Mitrovic's departure

- Fulham and Sheffield United are the joint-lowest scorers in the Premier League with five goals
- Sheffield United have restricted their opponents to one or two goals in six of seven matches
- Recommended bet: Fulham and under 2.5 goals

After Fulham achieved an impressive top-half finish upon their return to the Premier League last season, supporters were hoping they would push on in 2023-24.

However, the departure of star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has removed their most potent goal threat and with replacement Raul Jimenez struggling to settle and attacking alternative Adama Traore injured, Fulham look toothless.

Avoiding a second-season slump has become manager Marco Silva’s main concern, but his opposite number this weekend would happily swap places.

Paul Heckingbottom’s Sheffield United are bottom of the table, struggling for goals and weakened by a swathe of injuries, so any kind of result in west London would be gratefully welcomed by the blunt Blades.

Team news

Fulham winger Adama Traore and centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo both remain out with thigh and groin injuries respectively.

Cottagers right-back Kenny Tete has a chance of returning after three matches out.

Sheffield United are without a host of first-team players.

None of Max Lowe, Rhys Norrington-Davies and George Baldock at full-back, centre-forwards Daniel Jebbison and William Osula, centre-back John Egan or winger Ben Osborn are expected to be available.

However, long-term absentee Rhian Brewster made a brief return last weekend and John Fleck has an outside chance of returning from a broken leg.

The stats

Although the Newcastle rout could be seen as a freak result, Paul Heckingbottom's Blades are struggling for goals and points

Fulham and Sheffield United are the joint-lowest scorers in the Premier League, with both scoring just five goals in seven matches.

Silva’s hosts have scored just once in three home games, beating Luton 1-0 at Craven Cottage but losing 3-0 to Brentford and 2-0 to Chelsea.

Sheffield United have claimed just one point this season — a 2-2 draw at home to fellow strugglers Everton.

The Blades’ three away games have seen them lose at Tottenham (2-1), West Ham (2-0) and Nottingham Forest (2-1).

They have also lost at home to Manchester City (2-1), Newcastle (8-0) and Crystal Palace (1-0).

The latest Fulham vs Sheffield United odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

Neither team is in the sort of form that demands support, but Sheffield United’s struggles make them easy to oppose even against goal-shy Fulham.

The step up from the Championship was always going to be tough for a club with a wage bill that pales in comparison to even the likes of Fulham and a slew of injuries have made a tough job almost impossible for Heckingbottom.

However, Sheffield United have remained relatively resilient, restricting their opponents to one or two goals in every match bar the chaotic Newcastle collapse.

For now, that defeat to Newcastle can be put down as a freak result and the fact that the Blades lost only 2-1 to the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City suggest they should keep things respectable against a toothless Fulham side.

The hosts have the quality advantage to get the job done, but the three points are likely to be hard-earned.

Back Fulham and under 2.5 goals, available at 13/5 with LiveScore Bet.