Sheffield United have made an unbeaten start in their bid for EFL Championship promotion but face a tough test away to Hull City in the first game after the international break.
There can sometimes be a hangover when a club drops down from the Premier League, having taking a hit to morale by ending up on the end of some heavy defeats.
But the Blades have responded well, collecting two wins and two draws so far, and it looks like Chris Wilder will have them in the mix for an instant return to the top flight.
A victory is far from a gimme at Hull though as the Tigers have only lost one of their four league games so far. The problem for new boss Tim Walter has been drawing too many matches, with the other three fixtures ending in stalemates.
That has left Hull City sitting just a point above the drop zone in the early-season table and Walter will be looking for a first Championship victory here to get their campaign up and running.
How the bookies view it: Blades have the edge
After their impressive start to the campaign, Sheffield United are Betfred's 21/20 favourites, with Hull City 11/5 outsiders. The draw is priced 9/4 and that will be popular with both sides being involved in plenty of stalemates.
Recent head to head: Tigers have lost their roar
Sheffield United have been a bogey team for Hull City in the last few years, going unbeaten in the last six meetings. When the Blades were last in the second tier two years ago, they won both games with Hull and the score was 2-0 on their last visit to the MKM Stadium.
Players to watch: O'Hare out to break his duck
Callum O'Hare hit double figures last season for Coventry City but has yet to get off the mark since his move to Bramall Lane. He's too good a player for that drought to go one much longer and the forward is 13/5 for anytime scorer.
Hull have struggled for goals and drew a blank in their 2-0 loss at Leeds last time out as all three of my recommended bets came up. Chris Bedia has been brought in from Union Berlin on loan to help give them some more firepower and he's 12/5 to grab a goal.
Probable line-ups
Hull City have just signed Brighton midfielder Steven Alzate but it would be a surprise if he went straight into the starting line-up given his lack of match practice. Femi Seriki is still out for Sheffield United but Kieffer Moore might be a doubt to start given the veteran played with Wales in Montenegro on Monday night.
Hull City: Pandur, Coyle, Giles, Jones, McLoughlin, Mehlem, Omur, Zambrano, Jarvis, Millar, Bedia.
Sheffield United: Cooper, Gilchrist, Souttar, Burrows, Ahmedhodzic, Arblaster, Hamer, Rak-Sakyi, Souza, Campbell, O'Hare.
Anything else catch the eye?
With Hull City struggling in front of goal, betting against BTTS might be a good shout at 11/10 with Betfred. That bet has landed in the last two games for both of these sides and also in the last three meetings.
With these sides drawing so many of their games, the half-time stalemate also looks decent value at 23/20.
Eight yellows were flashed in Sheffield United's last game with Watford and things got so heated that the FA charged both clubs with misconduct. There's no prices for cards yet but that market could be worth a look here too with Hull no shrinking violets.
Going for corners paid off for me in that match with Watford as the teams ending up amassing 13 flag kicks. Bet365 price over 10 corners at 10/11 for this game and that looks worth a punt again.
This England Championship match between Hull City and Sheffield United will be played on Sep 13, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Hull City vs Sheffield United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
