Sheffield United v Newcastle predictions: free betting tips and where to watch

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

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 6pm Tuesday

Best bets

Newcastle to win & under 2.5 goals
1pt 4-1 bet365
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Team news

Sheffield United
Jack O'Connell and Sander Berge are long-term absentees and Enda Stevens and George Baldock (both knocks) must be assessed. Billy Sharp, Phil Jagielka and Lys Mousset face late fitness tests.

Newcastle
Callum Wilson, Jonjo Shelvey, Karl Darlow, Fabian Schar and Federico Fernandez were rested for the FA Cup trip to Arsenal and may return. Allan Saint-Maximin and Jamal Lewis are still out but Ryan Fraser (groin) could feature. Jamaal Lascelles (illness and fatigue) is a doubt.

Match preview

Sheffield United claimed their first win of the season in the third round of the FA Cup at Bristol Rovers on Saturday and manager Chris Wilder will be hoping that victory can spark an unlikely Premier League survival bid.

The Blades have collected only two points from their opening 17 Premier League matches and Wilder understood the importance of stopping the rot against League One Rovers as he fielded his strongest side.

Despite having their sights lowered, the Blades let two leads slip and could win only 3-2 against a team 42 places below them in the footballing pyramid.

Some confidence may have been restored but it was not the ideal preparation for a relegation scrap with Newcastle, who were able to rest Callum Wilson and Jonjo Shelvey in their extra-time defeat to Arsenal.

If the Blades are going to pull off a great escape, this looks a must-win game for them but a lack of cutting edge makes them difficult to trust.

Wilder’s side have scored just eight goals in 17 Premier League games and have failed to score in their last three outings against Everton, Burnley and Crystal Palace.

Only David McGoldrick and Jayden Bogle have netted more than once in all competitions this season and that doesn’t bode well for their survival chances, particularly against a Newcastle side who are set up to frustrate and utilise Wilson’s pace on the break.

The Magpies held Liverpool to a goalless draw over Christmas and it was 0-0 after normal time in Saturday’s FA Cup trip to Arsenal, where their defence was bolstered by the return of captain Jamaal Lascelles.

With Newcastle also in desperate need of points following a five-game winless run a nervy, low-scoring contest appears likely.

There have been two or fewer goals in 11 of Sheffield United’s 17 league matches, with nine of those games resulting in either 1-0 or 2-0 defeats.

Newcastle’s extra attacking quality and Sheffield United’s vulnerability from set-pieces gives the visitors the edge and one goal may be enough for the Magpies to claim all three points.

Key stat

Both teams have scored in only one of Newcastle's last five games in all competitions.

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