Sheffield United vs Crystal Palace Predictions

• Sheffield United won their final six home games last season.
• Palace lost Wilfried Zaha to Galatasaray over the summer.
• Palace lost seven of their final 11 away games last season (W2, D2).

Blades capable of minor upset

Sheffield United are being widely tipped to struggle in the season ahead, and for good reason, but they may be able to kick off the new campaign with a win regardless against Crystal Palace.

Both of these sides have had difficult summers and any joy the Blades’ faithful should be feeling by promotion has been tempered by some big departures and a lack of replacements.

Last season’s top scorer Iliman Ndiaye has joined Marseille and star midfielder Sander Berge could be following him out of the exit door with Burnley understood to be close to a deal.

Palace are heading into the season with Wilfried Zaha, their talisman for a number of seasons, and both of these sides are being tipped to struggle in the season ahead.

Home advantage may be decisive

The Blades may have been written off as destined for the drop by many and it would take a huge effort for them to avoid the drop, particularly if no big signings are forthcoming in the final stages of the transfer window, but it is worth remembering they were a quality outfit at home last term.

The South Yorkshire side won their final six home games and beat Tottenham at Bramall Lane during a memorable FA Cup run.

The Eagles struggled on the road last term and lost seven of their final 11 away fixtures. The hosts go in to this game with a bit of a point to prove after a difficult summer and that is one of the reasons why they look worth the risk as underdogs.

Goals likely to be in short supply

This could be the kind of game that is decided by one goal and a hard-fought 1-0 win for the Blades is the correct score prediction.

The hosts are lacking quality in attack, particularly with Ndiaye having moved on, and may need to keep a clean sheet for all three points. Palace lost 10 of their 19 trips in the league last year and in seven of those games they drew blanks.

Picking out a goalscorer is a tough ask here but Blades summer signing Anis Slimane is an interesting outside option. The Danish-born Tunisia international doesn’t have a prolific scoring record but he did strike three times in the league for Bondby last season and opened his Blades account against Derby in pre-season.

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