Sheffield United vs AFC Bournemouth Predictions

• There have been 22 goals in Bournemouth’s last five Premier League away games.
• The Cherries have claimed just one point from their last seven league matches on the road.
• Both teams have scored in four of Sheffield United’s last five home outings.

Key clash could be high scoring

With Sheffield United being promoted to the Premier League in the summer and Bournemouth having sealed their top-flight berth in the closing weeks of last season, both teams would have earmarked Saturday’s clash at Bramall Lane as a must-win affair.

And the fact both teams head into battle having posted some notable results before the international break means that confidence levels should be high.

The Cherries caused a stir when they signed off with a 2-0 win over Newcastle at the Vitality Stadium, but their defending on the road has been a cause for concern.

Conceding six at Manchester City could perhaps be regarded as one of those days and other teams will conceded three times at Liverpool in the remainder of the campaign, but they also let in three at Everton and Brighton, and played out a 2-2 draw at Brentford, which gave them their only road point to date.

All five of United’s home games have featured at least three goals and it seems likely that this game will follow suit, even though there appears to be plenty at stake.

Blades may just have the edge

United claimed their first victory of the season when they beat Wolves with a late Oliver Norwood penalty in their last home game and there have been some encouraging signs that they can be a force at their South Yorkshire base.

The 8-0 humbling they suffered against Newcastle apart, their home showings have not been too bad as both Manchester sides had to fight all the way to claim their 2-1 victories and a 1-1 draw at Brighton before the break will have boosted the feeling that they do deserve their place at the top table.

And it should not be forgotten that they went into injury-time leading at Tottenham before being stung by two Spurs goals

With eight of Bournemouth’s nine points having come at the Vitality, this looks a golden opportunity for Paul Heckingbottom’s team and with the Cherries’ defensive issues, it is worth those who enjoy a correct-score bet chancing a 3-2 home win.

Solanke is a goal threat for Cherries

While the Blades are perhaps the more likely team to come out on top of this key clash, Bournemouth are likely to be positive and Dominic Solanke could lead their charge.

The former Liverpool striker is their most potent attacking threat with six goals this season and he should be full of beans after scoring both goals against the Magpies, so take him to continue his fine form by finding the net at Bramall Lane.