Both aiming to build on big victories at the weekend, Sheffield United and Portsmouth will square off at Bramall Lane on Wednesday.
The hosts moved within a point of safety by beating Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 on Sunday while the visitors remained four points ahead with a 3-1 win over Millwall.
Contents
- 1 Sheffield United vs Portsmouth prediction: Pivotal contest in fight for Championship survival
- 2 Most recent H2Hs: Portsmouth to end 70-year Bramall Lane drought?
- 3 Sheffield United preview: Hamer back in contention
- 4 Portsmouth preview: Unchanged from Saturday's win?
- 5 Player to watch: Tyrese Campbell
Sheffield United vs Portsmouth prediction: Pivotal contest in fight for Championship survival
Key stats
- Only two teams have picked up fewer than the four home Championship points that Sheffield United have earned at Bramall Lane this season.
- Portsmouth's six points in seven away league matches is the joint-fewest in the division.
- Only Sheffield Wednesday have scored fewer Championship goals than Sheffield United (14) and Portsmouth (15) this season.
Correct score prediction: Sheffield United 1-0 Portsmouth
Both rejuvenated by crucial victories at the weekend, Wednesday's contest should be a tight one and we give a slight edge to the hosts who may finally be making their quality count this season.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Blades tipped for back-to-back wins
- HOME: 4/5 (1.80) – 55.6%
- DRAW: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.8%
- AWAY: 7/2 (4.50) – 22.2%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, bookmakers give Sheffield United a clear edge with a 55.6% chance.
A draw is seen as 27.8% likely, while Portsmouth are given a 22.2% chance at Bramall Lane. Also, feel free to check out our Today’s betting tips page, as well as our Championship predictions & betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Portsmouth to end 70-year Bramall Lane drought?
Last season's H2Hs, the sides' first meetings since 2013, ended in a 2-1 Sheffield United victory at Bramall Lane and a 0-0 draw at Fratton Park.
Portsmouth have failed to win any of their last 26 trips to Bramall Lane dating back to 1955, having lost the last three away H2Hs.
England Championship 08/02/25
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Portsmouth
England Championship 28/09/24
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Sheffield United preview: Hamer back in contention
Sheffield United will remain without Tom Davies, Chiedozie Ogbene, Tahith Chong and Oliver Arblaster on their returns from injuries, while Gustavo Hamer was fit to feature off the bench on Sunday after his layoff.
The Blades will look for a second straight win to leap out of the drop zone.
Predicted lineup: Cooper (GK); Seriki, Tanganga, Mee, McCallum; Brooks, Riedewald, Peck, O'Hare; Campbell & Cannon
Last five results:
- Sheffield Wednesday 0-3 Sheffield United
- Sheffield United 0-0 QPR
- Coventry 3-1 Sheffield United
- Sheffield United 1-3 Derby
- Preston 3-2 Sheffield United
Portsmouth preview: Unchanged from Saturday's win?
Steven Schumacher may field the same Portsmouth starting XI from Saturday's victory, with Connor Ogilvie and Conor Shaughnessy sidelined.
Predicted lineup: Schmid (GK); Devlin, Knight, Poole, Swanson; Kosznovszky, Dozzell; Bianchini, Segecic, Murphy & Bishop
Last five results:
- Portsmouth 3-1 Millwall
- Hull 3-2 Portsmouth
- Portsmouth 0-0 Wrexham
- Birmingham 4-0 Portsmouth
- Portsmouth 0-1 Stoke
Player to watch: Tyrese Campbell
After a slow start to the season, Tyrese Campbell returned to the form of last year, in which he netted 11 league goals, in Sunday's Steel City Derby.
Having led the Sheffield United line in inspired form, and finished with a brace that could have been more, Campbell will line up in attack with renewed confidence on Wednesday.