SHEFFIELD UNITED have been doomed to the drop for a while but their relegation from the Premier League will be confirmed if they lose to Newcastle United at St James' Park.
The Blades have propped up the table for most of the campaign and with just four games to go they find themselves 10 points adrift of safety. I fancied Chris Wilder's side to score at Old Trafford in midweek and they took the lead twice, only for Manchester United to hit back for a 4-2 victory.
Now Sheffield United head to one of the other great theatres of the English game as they set course for Newcastle and it's hard to see anything but a win for the Magpies in this one.
Eddie Howe's side lost 2-0 at Crystal Palace on Wednesday but their form had been excellent before that, with three wins and a draw from their four previous matches.
Having finished in the top four last term to book a seat at Europe's top table, scrapping for a place in the Europa Conference League next term isn't how Newcastle's Saudi owners will have wanted this season to pan out.
Injuries certainly haven't helped but Howe will want to finish the season strongly and get back into Europe to show that he deserves another season to take the club forward.
How the bookies view it: Doomed Blades rank outsiders to delay their execution
Sheffield United are rank outsiders for a shock win at St James' Park, with Coral pricing them at 12/1. Newcastle United's best price is just 1/4 at Matchbook while the draw pays 13/2 at BetMGM.
Recent head to head: Newcastle are rout to pile on the pain
Sheffield United were humiliated the last time they faced Newcastle, crashing to an 8-0 defeat at Bramall Lane earlier this season. The Magpies have bossed this fixture of late, winning nine of the last 11 meetings.
Players to watch: Sizzling Swede Isak is so hot at home
Alexander Isak drew a blank in midweek, letting down Slips Tips, but has been on fire at St James' Park, with eight goals in his last six games at home. The Swede is just 8/11 at Bet365 for anytime scorer but is 4/1 with the same firm for an assist and 16/5 at Paddy Power to score two or more goals.
Ben Brereton Diaz has made a decent impact for Sheffield United since signing on loan from Villarreal. The former Blackburn Rovers star has netted five times since January and is 5/2 at Paddy Power to either score or assist.
Predicted line-ups
Newcastle continue to be decimated by injuries but Callum Wilson made a welcome return of the bench in midweek and could feature again here. Youngster Andre Brooks came off at half-time for Sheffield United in midweek and could be a doubt for this one.
Newcastle: Dubravka; Livramento, Krafth, Schar, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Anderson; Barnes, Isak, Gordon.
Sheffield United: Foderingham, Trusty, Ahmedhodzic, Bogle, Holgate; Hamer, Souza, Arblaster; Osborne, Brereton Diaz, Archer.
Anything else catch the eye? Hard to make a case for the Blades defence
Newcastle fans will be turning up hoping for a repeat of that eight-goal Bramall Lane blitz and they should see a few goals, with Sheffield United shipping four in each of their last two outings. Over 3.5 goals pays just 10/11 at Bet365 but backing over 3.5 Newcastle strikes boosts the odds to 7/4.
Sheffield United have nothing to lose so I'd imagine they will have a go and could get some joy at the other end. Over 3.5 Blades shots on target pays 6/5 at Unibet while Brereton Diaz is 27/20 to test the keeper.
Newcastle United won 16 corners in their last home game with Spurs and Sheffield United have also been racking up a few in their games. So over 12 corners could be worth a punt at 11/8 with Bet365.
This English Premier League match between Newcastle United and Sheffield United will be played on Apr 27, 2024 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Newcastle United vs Sheffield United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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