Bitesize Prediction: Blackpool vs Sheffield United – 29/12/22

Competition: Championship

Market: Sheffield United win

Odds: 20/21 @ 888sport

Looking to extend on their recent purple patch on Thursday night, Sheffield United will make the trip to a struggling Blackpool.

Starting with the hosts, eventually throwing away the lead away at Hull on Boxing Day as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw, Blackpool find themselves in the midst of an extended struggle. Now only collecting a single point from each of their last three Championship outings, the Oranges are also at the heart of a relegation scrap. Opening Thursday’s fixtures sat two points adrift in the drop zone, Michael Appleton’s men have the feel of a squad seeking a much-needed boost. However, knowing that they will face a real challenge at Bloomfield Road in midweek, the former Portsmouth boss has seen his side fail to win any of their last seven straight second-tier outings. With that run highlighted by a 3-0 drumming at home against Middlesbrough on November 8th, Blackpool have also bagged just a single victory from their previous five showdowns on home soil.

As for the visitors, while Sheffield United might have missed out on a Premier League return last season, the Blades are sat in pole position to claim a top-two finish this time around. Making the trip to Bloomfield Road in midweek holding an eight-point buffer from slipping out of the automatic promotion places, Paul Heckingbottom’s men should be confident of laying down another marker here. Last seen on Boxing Day picking up a 3-1 victory at home against Coventry, Thursday’s guests have now won each of their last four Championship contests. Likewise, gaining a real reputation for their rugged displays at the back, it should also be noted that United have shipped just a single strike on that four-match winning run. Two sides battling it out at opposite ends of the Championship table, we’re backing an away victory for Heckingbottom’s high-flying squad.

Bet: Sheffield United 20/21 to beat Blackpool in Thursday’s Championship matchup @ 888sport