Sheffield United v Burnley: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Two of the Championship's top three will meet at Bramall Lane on Boxing Day as league leaders Sheffield United play host to third-placed Burnley.

The Blades have been in near-unstoppable form over recent weeks, as they are unbeaten in their last 11 games, winning nine of those to open up a three-point gap at the top of the table.

Burnley are also in fine fettle, taking 20 points from the last 24 available, all of which means this Boxing Day clash could be an explosive encounter between two of the division's form sides.

Sheffield United v Burnley betting tips and predictions

Sheffield United to win to nil - 11/4

Considering these two sides were not only relegated from the Premier League last season but went down with a whimper, it is testament to both how well they are performing back in the second tier.

Sheffield United, who were handed a two-point deduction at the start of the season, have particularly impressed, and they will head into this game looking to protect a remarkable home record.

Since drawing with Queens Park Rangers in their opening Championship home match of the season, the Blades have not only won nine matches on the spin at Bramall Lane, but they have done so without even conceding a goal.

It is not just in South Yorkshire where Chris Wilder's side keep things tight, as they have kept six clean-sheets in their last eight games all told, while 14 of their 15 league wins this season have been achieved by shutting the opposition out.

Burnley will provide a tougher test than most when they head to South Yorkshire, with the Clarets also in fine form, but they are the lowest scorers of the top four in the division and have failed to net in five of their last 11 away fixtures across all competitions.

This match is likely to be closely fought, but home advantage should see Sheffield United edge to victory, and while there is value to be had in backing the Blades to win at 27/20, going with them to triumph to nil could offer even better value given their fine defensive record.

Under 1.5 goals - 7/4

As mentioned, Sheffield United's defensive record is impressive as they have only conceded 11 goals across their 22 league games, but that does not mean they hold the honour of the best defence in the division, as that title belongs to Burnley.

The Clarets have only conceded nine times in the league and have kept clean sheets in three of their last four away fixtures, while no team in the division has scored more than one goal past them.

Scott Parker certainly has his side well drilled defensively, but that has also come at a cost, with Burnley's tally of 28 goals being bettered by six other teams in the division and matching that of 17th-placed Coventry City.

Half of Burnley's 22 league games this season have featured no more than one goal, while a further six have seen the back of the net hit just twice.

Sheffield United have not conceded at home since mid-August and five of their nine successes since on their own patch have been by a scoreline of 1-0. 

The under 1.5 goal market should certainly come into play when these two well-drilled sides meet, with a goalfest seeming unlikely.

Luca Koleosho to be booked - 13/2

Burnley are among one of the more robust teams in the Championship and that is reflected in the stats, as only their Lancashire rivals Preston North End (305) have given away more fouls than the Clarets (288).

The Burnley player responsible for the highest percentage of those fouls is perhaps a surprising one, with winger Luca Koleosho having given away 38 - only two players in the division have committed more fouls - Ebou Adams of Derby County and Sheffield United's Vinicius Souza, who is likely to miss this match through injury.

Koleosho has been a little in and out the Burnley team of late, but given the games are coming thick and fast over the festive period, and he was only a late substitute last time out against Watford, he could well return to the XI on Boxing Day.

Starting will certainly increase the likelihood of Koleosho, who has been booked three times this season, picking up another caution in South Yorkshire.

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Sheffield United v Burnley odds

Sheffield United - 27/20
Draw - 9/4
Burnley - 2/1

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.