Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace - Narrow win for The Blades

Chris Wilder's Sheffield United are tipped to get off to a strong start at home this season

Billy Sharp got on the score sheet away at Bournemouth on the opening day (Getty Images)

Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace Tips, Predictions & Free Bets

Sheffield United host their first Premier League home game in over a decade this weekend when they welcome Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace to Brammall Lane. The home sides are favourites to win the match after a good performance against Bournemouth away on the opening day of the campaign.

Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace Match Details

Date

Sunday 18th August

Venue

Brammall Lane

Competition

English Premier League

Time

14:00 (GMT +1)

Sheffield United Form & Team News

Sheffield United put on a spirited display on the opening day of the campaign. Chris Wilder’s side grabbed a late goal to draw 1-1 with Bournemouth, with Billy Sharp being the man to get his name on the scoresheet.United looked a much stronger outfit than most had anticipated, with the team creating three shots on target throughout the game, the same as the host side. Sharp, along with new signing Ollie McBurnie, came off the bench for the Blades on Saturday and will have given Chris Wilder a bit of a selection headache after he started David McGoldrick and Callum Robinson. He is likely to stick with the same attacking system he has played throughout his time at the club, and will want to make Brammall Lane a difficult place to visit for away teams. United are on a great run of form at home. The club have won 9 of their last 13 fixtures at Brammall Lane and have kept a clean sheet in nine of those games. They are currently priced at 2.45 with bet365 to win the match, which is great value given their performance on the opening weekend and their home form.

Crystal Palace Form & Team News

Crystal Palace drew 0-0 with Everton on the opening day of the season in what was, on the whole, a fairly dull encounter. Palace didn’t see a lot of the ball at Selhurst Park and their counter-attacking approach failed to deliver as they couldn’t defeat an Everton side who were reduced to ten men in the final 15 minutes of the game. Wilfried Zaha was brought on for the final 25 minutes of the game against Everton but made little impact against the club he had been so heavily linked with during the summer. Hodgson ruled him out of starting against Everton but will want him back in the team against Sheffield United, with neither Christian Benteke or Connor Wickham particularly impressing against Everton. Palace had a tough time away from home during pre-season, losing 3 of their 5 away games during the period. They did, however, finish last season very strongly away from home, and their counter-attacking football lends itself very well to travelling from home. Palace are currently available at 3.00, while a draw in the game is valued at 3.10. The price for a draw is particularly healthy as the game is likely to be quite tight.

All eyes are on Crystal Palace striker Wilfried Zaha at the moment (Getty Images)

Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace Analysis- Sheffield United to win

Chris Wilder is adamant on sticking to his attacking football philosophy in the Premier League and it will either make or break the team’s campaign. The club looked better than most had anticipated at Bournemouth last weekend, and will want to make Brammall Lane a fortress in the coming weeks. Palace struggled at home against Everton last week and will want to get the Wilfred Zaha saga behind them as quickly as possible and move on with their season. They ended last season strong away from home but have struggled on their travels since then. The team could be set for a bit of a stutter to start their campaign.

Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace Tips- Sheffield United backed

Sheffield United look as though they could be an entertaining side to watch this campaign and they will want to make sure that their home form is strong if they are going to have a chance of staying in the Premier League. With Palace looking a bit disorganised at the minute, they look as though they may struggle to get off the ground at the start of the season, and after an uninspired display at home last weekend, things aren’t looking brilliant. Sheffield United are currently priced at 2.45 to win the match, which is excellent value based on the strength of their opening day performance. A more conservative approach may be to take them on a draw no-bet, which is currently priced at 1.75 with bet365 and offers punters a bit of a safety net.

Verdict

Sheffield United's home advantage should see them past a dishevelled looking Crystal Palace side.

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