Newcastle v Sheffield Utd: Premier League betting preview, free tip and TV

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

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League & Sky One, 2pm Sunday

Best bet

Under 2.5 goals
1pt 4-7 Sky Bet

Team news

Newcastle
Matty and Sean Longstaff both miss the clash while Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle are struggling with knocks. Martin Dubravka and Andy Carroll are fit.

Sheffield United
John Fleck and Jack O'Connell, who missed the draw at Aston Villa through injury, will be assessed before the game. David McGoldrick suffered a knock at Villa Park but is in contention.

Match preview

Newcastle United return to Premier League action at St James' Park on Sunday against Sheffield United, who have already had one outing in the second stage of the interrupted season.

The Blades drew 0-0 at Aston Villa in controversial circumstances on Wednesday and a similar outcome looks possible. A behind-closed-doors match is probably best for a contest that may not live long in the memory.

Chris Wilder's men were incorrectly not awarded a goal just before half-time against Villa, even though replays showed Orjan Nyland was over the line with the ball in his hands and goal-line technology providers Hawk-Eye issued an apology after the game.

Newcastle have struggled massively in the final third this season and they are the joint-lowest scorers in the division, netting a mere 25 times, the same number as rock-bottom Norwich City, and Jonjo Shelvey is the only player in the squad to have scored three or more league goals with five.

Record signing Joelinton, who arrived for £40 million from Hoffenheim last summer, has scored only once in the Premier League - in the 1-0 win at Spurs in August - and he already looks like a bust for the Magpies.

Steve Bruce's men have been indebted to goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who has kept nine clean sheets to put himself in contention for the Golden Glove, and his return to full fitness will be a massive boost.

Newcastle's last three home games in all competitions have ended in 0-0 draws while they have scored only three goals in their last six PL matches on Tyneside, highlighting their lack of attacking prowess.

The Blades have also struggled in the attacking department this season, scoring just 30 times, and they have netted just twice in their last five away league matches.

Like the Magpies, Wilder's side have been built on a strong defence, keeping 11 clean sheets, just one fewer than leaders Liverpool, and on-loan Manchester United keeper Dean Henderson has been in goal for all of those shutouts.

It also worth noting that Newcastle have not scored more than twice in any of their 14 league games at St James' Park this season, while the Blades are the only side yet to concede more than twice in a Premier League away game this term.

Key stat

Six of the teams' last ten top-flight meetings at St James' Park have had under 2.5 goals.

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