Preston North End vs Sheffield United Prediction and Betting Tips | August 9th 2024

Preston North End will invite Sheffield United to Deepdale as they get their 2024-25 EFL Championship campaign underway on Friday. The hosts finished 10th in the Championship standings last season while the visitors were relegated from the Premier League.

The hosts had three wins and three losses in the pre-season and suffered a 3-0 loss to Everton in their final friendly earlier this month. They had concluded their 2023-24 EFL Championship campaign on a five-game losing streak while failing to score in these games as well.

The visitors enjoyed an unbeaten run in the pre-season and, after winning the first four friendlies, they played out a 1-1 draw against Huddersfield Town earlier this month. They are back in the Championship after just one season in the top flight.

Preston North End vs Sheffield United Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

The two teams have a long-standing rivalry and have met 122 times in all competitions. The visitors have a better record in these meetings with 54 wins. The hosts have 36 wins and 32 games have ended in draws.
The hosts are winless in their last six meetings against the visitors, suffering four losses.
They last met in the Championship in the 2022-23 season, with Sheffield securing a league double, winning the two meetings 6-1 on aggregate.
Preston North End have four wins against the visitors in all competitions since 2011, with just one of them coming at home.
Sheffield United have scored at least two goals in five of their last six meetings against the hosts.
Preston have won just two of their last seven home games in the Championship.
The visitors have seen conclusive results in their last 17 Championship games, with 11 wins and six losses.

Preston North End vs Sheffield United Prediction

The Lilywhites enjoyed a good run in the pre-season, winning three of their last four friendlies. They have failed to score in two of their last three home meetings against the visitors in the Championship, which is a cause for concern.

The Blades are unbeaten in their last six meetings against the hosts, scoring 14 goals while keeping two clean sheets. They enjoyed an unbeaten run in the pre-season and will look to build on that form.

Both teams will look to get the campaign underway with a win and, considering the visitors' better record in recent meetings against the hosts, Sheffield are expected to eke out a narrow victory.

Prediction: Preston North End 1-2 Sheffield United

Preston North End vs Sheffield United Betting Tips

Tip 1: Result - Sheffield United to win

Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals

Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes

Tip 4: Robbie Brady to score or assist any time - Yes