Sheffield Utd vs Bournemouth tips and prediction: Master survivalist Heckingbottom to resume revival

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom is the equivalent of Bear Grylls in the footballing world - the man can seemingly survive any predicament. 

The 46-year-old seemed destined for the sack after losing 8-0 to Newcastle back in September. He kept his job.

The Blades boss was put under further pressure when losing 5-0 to Arsenal at the end of October. Once again, the manager was kept in place.

The South Yorkshire side have since reaped rewards for their loyalty with United picking up a 2-1 win over Wolves before holding Brighton to a 1-1 draw.

Sheffield won just one point from their first 10 games in the Premier League yet took four from their latest two outings.

 

 

Bournemouth also appear to have turned a corner. A 2-1 win over Burnley at the end of October was followed up by back-to-back defeats against Liverpool and Manchester City.

However, the Cherries came back strong by laying the smackdown on Newcastle in an impressive 2-0 success down at the Vitality Stadium.

The previous five head-to-head meetings between Bournemouth and Sheffield Untied were either drawn or won by a single goal margin.

We expect a similarly tight encounter considering both teams are desperate for points.

Home advantage could be massive for 18th-placed Blades and our recommendation is to back a narrow one-goal win for the Brammal Lane outfit.

 

Team news

Both teams have a long list of absentees ahead of Saturday’s encounter.

Sheffield United will be without Chris Basham, Ryan Brewster, Tom Davies, John Egan, Daniel Jebbinson, Max Lowe and Rhys Norrington-Davies.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, will be missing Max Aarons, Tyler Adams, Ryan Fredericks, Emiliano Marcondes, Darren Randolph and Alex Scott.

 

Key stats

- Bournemouth have won just one of their last 10 visits to Sheffield United, with that victory coming in 1987

- Bournemouth boast the worst away record in the Premier League this season

- Sheffield United are unbeaten in back-to-back games for the first time this season

 

Predictions

Correct score - Sheffield United to win 2-1
Both teams to score
One goal winning margin