Sheffield United vs Fulham predictions: Cottagers can strike again
- Sheffield United are winless at home in 2024
- Fulham have won three of their last four
- Recommended bet: Fulham to win and both teams to score
Sheffield United have struggled all season and are unlikely to experience any respite when Fulham visit on Saturday.
The Blades sit bottom of the Premier League and, although they showed spirit in their 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, squandering a two-goal lead will have done little to restore any confidence.
That result at least ended a run of three straight defeats without scoring, but now host an enigmatic Fulham side who have won three of their last four, a run that includes victories over Manchester United and Tottenham.
Team news
Blades duo Cameron Archer (calf) and Anis Ben Slimane (thigh) could return, while Vinicius Souza is pushing to regain his place in midfield.
Fulham's recent form means Silva may only have one selection query to ponder, with Sasa Lukic hoping to stay in the side alongside Joao Palhinha in midfield – Tom Cairney and Harrison Reed are the alternatives.
The stats
United have the worst home record in the league, winning just two of their 14 Bramall Lane outings, the most recent of those coming in December.
They also have the poorest defensive record in the division, conceding on 74 occasions – 11 times more than any other side.
Fulham have won three of their last four games and have a striker in excellent form in Rodrigo Muniz. The Brazilian has netted seven times in as many games and is expected to feature despite complaining hamstring tightness after coming off against Spurs.
The Cottagers won October's reverse fixture 3-1. There were two own goals in that game, while the Blades have put through their next in their last two home matches.
United have conceded a league-high five own goals, one more than Fulham.
Prediction
It has been a torrid campaign for the Blades and Chris Wilder revealed before the break that he would be travelling to speak with the club's owners, potentially to start planning for next season.
The numbers are against them and building up his team's confidence is likely to have proved tough, even for a boss as bullish as the 56-year-old.
Silva has overcome a tough spell earlier in his career and is now an established Premier League boss. The debonair Portuguese seems a nice fit for an upmarket club like Fulham, and the two parties look to be onto a good thing.
Getting the best from players discarded by other clubs has demonstrated Silva's nous and he deserves credit for Muniz's form after previous doubts regarding his ability to perform in the Premier League.
The Brazilian could become Aleksandar Mitrovic's long-term replacement and will relish taking on the league's worst defence.
All is not lost for United, though, with Fulham's defending occasionally indifferent on the road, but the Cottagers, although enigmatic, have been excellent in recent outings and should sign again.
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