Sheffield United v Crystal Palace: Premier League predictions, tips & TV details

TV: Sky Sports Premier League/Main Event, 2pm Sunday

Premier League football will return to Bramall Lane for the first time in 12 years when Sheffield United host Crystal Palace but an electric atmosphere is unlikely to translate to maximum points for the Blades.

Billy Sharp's first top-flight goal earned a valuable 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on the opening weekend and a similar result could unfold in Yorkshire.

Chris Wilder's men successfully disrupted the free-flowing football the Cherries wanted to play and limited clear-cut chances.

Bournemouth registered 13 shots but only three were on target and they were kept at bay until Chris Mepham buried a rebounded effort in the 62nd minute.

Predictably they played more conservatively than in the Sky Bet Championship last season and Wilder will be under no illusions about Palace's competence on the road.

The Eagles won nine away matches last season - more than any other team outside the top six in the Premier League - but their lack of end product could deny them victory in their first away assignment.

Max Meyer missed an excellent opportunity to open the scoring when Palace drew 0-0 with Everton last week and the hosts could not capitalise on their extra-man advantage after Morgan Schneiderlin was sent off for the Toffees.

Wilfried Zaha lacked match fitness and came on from the bench but could be handed a start this time after Palace mustered only two shots on target last time out.

Their greatest chance of a goal, though, could come from the spot.

Sheffield United conceded 19 fouls against Bournemouth, giving away free-kicks in dangerous areas, and they may struggle to cope with the pace and trickery of Zaha and Andros Townsend.

Luka Milivojevic scored ten penalties last season and is worth backing to notch.

The bet is made more enticing by VAR's evident teething problems increasing the chance of a penalty being awarded.

But if Palace do notch, United have plenty of attacking firepower to cancel them out after reinforcing their front line with the signings of Callum Robinson, Oli McBurnie and Luke Freeman this summer.

Their back three, meanwhile, of Chris Basham, John Egan and Jack O'Connell played 129 league matches between them last term and can generally keep it tight at the back. Backing the sides to share the spoils could be the way to go.

Recommendations
Draw
1pt 9-4 Betfred, Betway
L Milivojevic to score at any time
1pt 4-1 Betfred, Coral, Sky Bet

Bet on these tips with Paddy Power

Team news

Sheffield United
Lys Mousset is continuing his recovery but other than that Wilder has no major injuries to contend with.

Crystal Palace
James Tomkins, Mamadou Sakho and Jeffrey Schlupp remain sidelined for Palace, who could hand Zaha a start.

Key stat

No team accumulated more points at home in the Sky Bet Championship than Sheffield United (49) last season.

For exclusive must-have bookmaker offers and free bets search racingpost.com/freebets

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport