Luton v Sheffield United predictions: Entertainment may be at a premium

Free football tips best bets and analysis for Luton v Sheffield United in the Championship at Kenilworth Road on Friday.

Where to watch

Live on Sky Sports Main Event & Football, 8pm Friday

Best bet

One or both teams not to score
1pt 20-21 BoyleSports

Team news

Luton
The Hatters remain without James Shea, Harry Cornick, Pelly Ruddock-Mpanzu, Alfie Doughty and Fred Onyedinma while Glen Rea is a doubt.

Sheffield United
Jayden Bogle, Jack O’Connell, Ben Osborn, Jack Robinson, Enda Stevens and Billy Sharp are all sidelined but Ciaran Clark could make his return.

Match preview

Luton and Sheffield United came up short in the Championship playoffs last season, but the Blades have responded best to the setback.

Despite losing their Championship curtain-raiser at Watford, Sheffield United find themselves setting the early pace in the second tier having racked up ten points from their subsequent four starts.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side have won all three home games against Millwall, Sunderland and Blackburn, while also picking up a valuable point in a 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough, and many may expect them to cement their place at the top with victory at Kenilworth Road.

However, there has been a sense of vulnerability about them on their travels as they have not only dropped points on their opening two trips to Vicarage Road and the Riverside, but they failed to win six of their final eight away games last term, too.

The visitors are the highest scorers in the division with nine goals and only Norwich have racked up more shots than their tally of 74, but they registered just six of those efforts at Watford and four at Boro so Bramall Lane could be the key factor.

The Blades were also beaten 1-0 by West Brom in the first round of the EFL Cup at The Hawthorns and the Hatters will be determined to build on last weekend’s 2-0 win at Swansea.

That was a first win at the fifth attempt for Luton, taking their tally to five points from as many games, but they have failed to score in three of those outings.

Nathan Jones’s side were held to a goalless draw by Birmingham in their opening home game and their latest effort saw them limp to a 1-0 loss Preston.

But providing Luton can keep a lid on Sander Berge and Iliman Ndiaye then they should be competitive and, given their early striking woes, backing one of both teams not to score, a bet which clicked in last season’s two meetings, makes the most appeal.

Both teams have scored in only three of Luton’s last 13 Championship clashes while visitors Sheffield United have to show they can be as effective away from their beloved Bramall Lane.

Key stat

Sheffield United have failed to win eight of their last ten Championship away games.

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