Preview: Bournemouth vs. Sheffield United - prediction, team news, lineups

Two Championship promotion hopefuls who failed to claim maximum points in midweek do battle on Saturday, when Bournemouth welcome Sheffield United to the Vitality Stadium.

The Cherries have won each of their last three league games on home soil, while the Blades have claimed just four points from a possible 15 available on the road so far this season.

Match preview

© Reuters

Bournemouth missed the chance to maintain their two-point lead at the top of the table as they were forced to share the spoils in a goalless draw against Peterborough United at London Road on Wednesday night.

The Cherries have now failed to score in two of their last three away games, however they are one of only three English clubs in the football league, along with Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion and Premier League table toppers Liverpool, who remain unbeaten this season.

That record, however, could be under threat this weekend as they face a Sheffield United side who they have failed to beat in each of their last 10 meetings. Bournemouth have also never won on home soil against the Blades in their history.

Scott Parker has urged his side to be more clinical in front of goal following their midweek stalemate, but considering the Cherries have scored 11 goals in five home matches so far this campaign, as well as boasting the best defensive record in the Championship, Saturday's hosts will be confident of returning to winning ways in front of their supporters.

© Reuters

Sheffield United's unbeaten league run of five matches came to an end on Tuesday night, when they were defeated 2-0 by Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.

Despite controlling 66% of possession, first-half strikes from Boro pair Duncan Watmore and Paddy McNair condemned the visitors to their first league defeat since losing against Huddersfield Town on August 21.

Slavisa Jokanovic's men missed the chance to climb into the top half of the table and have instead dropped down to 13th place, four points above the relegation zone and six points behind the playoffs.

The Blades have won only three of their opening 10 league games this term, against Peterborough, Hull City and Derby County, who are all currently positioned in the relegation zone.

Sheffield United's promotion hopes remain alive for now, given they are less than a third of the way through the season, but if they are to climb towards the top end of the table then their form against the stronger teams needs to improve quickly.

Team News

© Reuters

Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook, who has been out for several months with a knee injury, is closing in on a return to action, however Saturday's game will come too soon for him as well as Junior Stanislas, who is nursing a hamstring problem.

Parker may decide to bring midfielder Ben Pearson and teenage winger Jaidon Anthony back into his starting lineup, which would likely see David Brooks and Morgan Rogers drop to the bench.

Veteran defender Gary Cahill is set to keep his place at the heart of the defence alongside Lloyd Kelly, with Chris Mepham to begin again as a substitute, while Dominic Solanke is expected to lead the line in attack.

As for Sheffield United, centre-back Jack O'Connell and forward Lys Mousset remain out with respective knee and hamstring injuries.

However, Jokanovic provided an update on Sander Berge in midweek, suggesting that the Norwegian midfielder could feature before the international break.

Strikers Rhian Brewster, Oli McBurnie and David McGoldrick will all be hoping they can force their way back into the first XI, though club legend Billy Sharp is expected to lead the line on his own once again.

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Travers; Smith, Cahill, Kelly, Zemura; Pearson, Billing, Lerma; Christie, Solanke, Anthony

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Olsen; Baldock, Egan, Davies, Norrington-Davies; Norwood, Fleck; Gibbs-White, Ndiaya, Osborn; Sharp

We say: Bournemouth 2-0 Sheffield United

This fixture at the Vitality Stadium does not usually see many goals, with the hosts having never scored more than twice while the visitors have found the net more than once on only one occasion.

Bournemouth have started the new campaign in much stronger fashion than Sheffield United and we can see the Cherries ending their poor record against the Blades this weekend with a narrow victory.