MY ACCOUNT
– Burnley are unbeaten in 20 home league games this season
– Sheffield United have not won at Turf Moor in their last six visits
– Recommended bet: Burnley to win
After correctly predicting Preston to win, Huddersfield on the double chance and a draw between Sunderland and Hull among Friday’s action, Warren Ashurst turns his attention to Monday’s top-of-the-table clash between Burnley and Sheffield United.
The top two in the Championship meet on Easter Monday in a game that looks like being a Premier League fixture next season.
Burnley have already secured promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking, with Vincent Kompany leading them to 87 points from 39 games.
Sheffield United have been the only team clinging on to the Clarets’ coat-tails throughout this season and now they have to finish the job and secure one of the top two places.
Team news
Burnley have a near fully-fit squad to select from with Jay Rodriguez the only notable absentee, as he continues his search for full fitness after injury.
Midfielder Anass Zaroury was substituted with a slight knock 10 minutes after half-time at Middlesbrough on Friday and will face a late fitness check.
Sheffield United are expected to make a late decision on Max Lowe, after the defender missed Good Friday’s home win over Wigan through illness.
Oli McBurnie was rested for the visit of the Championship’s bottom club, with Billy Sharp handed a start, but McBurnie is likely to be named in the line-up from the off at Turf Moor.
The stats
There is a strong possibility that Burnley could go through the whole season unbeaten on home soil, with just three games remaining at Turf Moor.
Kompany’s men have won three and drawn two of their last five home matches and have conceded just one goal during that run.
Just to highlight their dominance this term, the Clarets have the best goal-scoring record (76) in the Championship and the best defensive record, conceding just 30 goals.
Sheffield United will head across the Pennines looking for a fourth straight away win, but their record at Burnley does not make good reading.
The Blades, who are currently eight points clear of third-placed Luton, have not won on their last six visits to Turf Moor, with four defeats and two draws.
Prediction
Ordinarily, one might think that visiting Burnley three days after they clinched promotion would be a good time to play them, with the celebrations that may have gone on.
But the hosts will be looking to maintain that unbeaten home record and will also be out for revenge, following a heavy defeat at Bramall Lane back in November.
Despite taking the lead that day, Kopmany’s men went down 5-2 and that is one of just two league defeats they have suffered all season.
The Blades have also been stuttering in front of goal in recent weeks, highlighted by their narrow defeat of Wigan on Friday.
Paul Heckingbottom’s men have only scored more than one goal in one of their last seven Championship encounters.
Back Burnley to win at 23/20 with LiveScore Bet.
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