Burnley vs. Sheffield United – EPL, December 29, 2020

This fixture looks like a good opportunity for both sets of players to finish 2020 on a high and gain some much-needed confidence ahead of what is likely to be a tough rest of the season.

Sheffield United is in greater need of the points, though – and will be desperate to pick up a first win of the campaign.

Bookmakers, such as BetOnline, seem to be pricing Sheffield United games quite conservatively – possibly thinking that Chris Wilder’s team has to win at some point. But coming away from Burnley with anything is harder than league positions suggest, in my opinion. I think the home win bet odds are the best value here.

Before Burnley lost to Leeds on Sunday, Sean Dyche’s team had gone four games unbeaten and dragged itself out of the bottom three. There had been some good sides in those four games as well. Burnley is always a tough team to play against – and never more so than when it has put a few results together.

Dyche will feel that his team should have had more from the Leeds game as well. Burnley had a goal disallowed and fell to a penalty that could also be argued against. That’s the kind of luck teams get in the lower reaches of the Premier League, but Burnley won’t be giving up just yet.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder knows all about bad luck. But it is also true that his side has not been anywhere near good enough to compete in the opening months of its second season in the top flight. Just two points from a possible 45 spells relegation.

Losing midfielder Sander Berge until around March was a major blow for Wilder – as is the continuing suspension for John Lundstram. But it is up front where the Blades are really struggling. Just eight goals scored suggests that there could be some transfer dealings in January – but that will come too late for this fixture.

Sheffield United undoubtedly overachieved last season – but it has been alarming how far off the pace it has looked at times this year. Chris Wilder has attempted to change formations and tactics slightly in a bid to change the club’s fortunes but to no avail so far. Burnley should be too strong and direct to be put off by whatever the Blades throw at it on Tuesday.