Newcastle v Sheffield United predictions: Tight encounter likely on Tyneside

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Newcastle v Sheffield United in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Mix, 6pm Wednesday

Best bet

Under 2.5 goals
1pt 21-20 Betfair

Team news

Newcastle
Ryan Fraser and Isaac Hayden are back in training but unlikely to be risked while Fabian Schar is suspended. Elliot Anderson is available after a hip injury.

Sheffield United
Paul Heckingbottom says he has “seven or eight” injuries with Sander Berge, Oli McBurnie and Ethan Ampadu among those out of action.

Match preview

Steve Bruce’s decision to let the handbrake off has given Newcastle fans a welcome blast from the past with the return of free-scoring football to St James’ Park.

Last Friday’s highly-entertaining 4-3 defeat to Manchester City was reminiscent of the first Kevin Keegan era, but it could be a more low-key affair when the blunt Blades arrive on Tyneside.

The loss against the newly crowned champions was only Newcastle’s third in their last 11 outings and their decent end to the campaign should quell the calls for Bruce to go as supporters get back inside the ground.

Sheffield United picked up a creditable 1-0 win over Everton last time out but it was just their sixth league victory of the season. The first of those wins came at the expense of Newcastle in January, with United edging to a 1-0 success at the 18th time of asking.

Doing the double over Newcastle isn’t out of the question with Bruce’s men yet to win a game in ten attempts this season without top scorer Callum Wilson, who is currently unavailable due to a hamstring injury.

Life without Wilson hasn’t been easy and Newcastle have scored just eight times in games he has missed, the same number of goals that Sheffield United have managed away from home.

While the two defences are liable to give up chances having each conceded 62 times this term, a lack of quality in front of goal could lead to a tight encounter.

Key stat

Sheffield United have failed to score in 20 of their 36 league matches this season.

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