Sheffield United v Ipswich: Betting preview, tips and when to watch

TV: Sky Sports Football & Main Event, 5.15pm Saturday

It appears to be a dream scenario for Sheffield United.

Needing to better Leeds's result against Aston Villa on Sunday to book their place in next season's Premier League, the Blades should not need much of a cutting edge to see off relegated Ipswich at Bramall Lane.

Even without top goalscorer Billy Sharp, Chris Wilder's side have been at the top of their game in victories over Nottingham Forest and Hull as they have claimed the initiative in the race for a top-two spot.

It is difficult to be hopeful about Ipswich's chances, which explains why they are a whopping 20-1 to claim just their fifth victory of the season.

Two of the Tractor Boys' successes have come against the teams immediately above them - Rotherham and Bolton - and there is little in their pedigree to provoke an argument with the bookmkaers' damning assessment of their chances.

Paul Lambert made a number of changes for last week's defeat against Swansea and although the noises coming out of Portman Road suggest they will play for pride and are mindful of Leeds's need for them to perform, actually doing it is another matter.

The fact you can get 10-11 that the Blades score at least three goals shows how much they are expected to dominate, but they could eclipse even that total.

United have scored four goals on three occasions at Bramall Lane this season and the 5-2 that they can do it once more against the weakest team in the division in front of a crowd desperate to party is worth taking.

Three of Ipswich's last 13 games have featured fewer than three goals, but they were thumped 4-0 at Preston on Good Friday and this could be a similar story.

Sky Bet Championship standings

Recommendation
Over 3.5 Sheffield United goals
1pt 5-2 Betfred

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Sheffield United
Blades boss Chris Wilder will leave it late to decide on the fitness of striker Billy Sharp (hamstring).

Ipswich
The Tractor Boys welcome back defender Myles Kenlock, but Ellis Harrison and Emyr Huws are still missing.

Key stat
Sheffield United have lost just one of their last 16 Sky Bet Championship games.

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