Sheffield United and Leicester City will both be seeking a return to winning ways in the Premier League when they face off at Bramall Lane this weekend.
The Blades enter Sunday's contest on a five-game losing streak, while Leicester have lost back-to-back matches in the top flight and three of their last four overall.
Match preview
© Reuters
Last week's 1-0 loss to West Bromwich Albion means that United have now officially made the worst start of any club in Premier League history.
With one point from a possible 30 to their name, coming in a 1-1 home draw with Fulham, it is also the joint-worst start to a season in English top-flight history.
Chris Wilder's job does not appear to be under threat, helped by last season's impressive first campaign back in the Premier League, but that will surely change if results do not improve.
Even 2019-20 ended on a low note for the blunt Blades, though, as they slipped down the division after challenging for a European spot at one point.
Taking their results from last season into account, they are now winless in 13 Premier League games, losing 12 of those - not since December 2010-March 2011 (14 games) have they endured a longer run.
Leicester may be 16 places and 17 points better off than their opponents, but that does not mean victory this weekend is any less imperative for Brendan Rodgers's men.
© Reuters
The Foxes followed up a 3-0 away loss to a depleted Liverpool with a shock 2-1 home defeat against Fulham last time out, seeing them slip to fourth place.
Thursday's 1-0 reverse at the hands of Zorya Luhansk was another blow, albeit in a game that saw Rodgers make mass changes with qualification to the last 32 of the Europa League already secured.
Monday's defeat to Fulham means that Leicester have now lost three of their last four league games against sides starting the day in the relegation zone - as many as they suffered in the previous 27 such matches.
Motivation may well be a factor for City, though with games against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United on the horizon, they cannot afford for their blip to go on any longer.
This may just be the perfect fixture for the visitors to kickstart their outside title bid as they have won four of their last five meetings with United, including both league games last term.
In fact, the Blades are winless in their last eight league encounters with Leicester since a 3-0 home win in the Championship 12 years ago, losing the last three.
Sheffield United Premier League form: DLLLLL
Leicester City Premier League form: LWWWLL
Leicester City form (all competitions): WWLDLL
Team News
© Reuters
Ethan Ampadu and Enda Stevens are doubtful for United, while Jack O'Connell's long-term absence is being felt at the back.
Wilder may be tempted to change things on the back of his side's latest loss, with Rhian Brewster, John Lundstram and Lys Mousset all pushing for inclusion.
Jack Robinson is another contender to come back into the side after being overlooked in favour of Kean Bryan last time out.
As for Leicester, Rodgers was boosted by the returns of Ricardo Pereira, Wilfred Ndidi and Caglar Soyuncu against Zorya.
All three are being eased back to fitness, though, with Rodgers expected to revert back to a similar XI to the one used versus Fulham.
That includes a likely start for Jamie Vardy, who has scored seven of his eight league goals this term away from home - more than any other player in the division.
Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; Basham, Egan, Bryan; Baldock, Berge, Norwood, Fleck, Lowe; McBurnie, Burke
Leicester City possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Fofana, Evans, Fuchs; Justin, Tielemans, Mendy, Barnes; Maddison, Praet; Vardy
We say: Sheffield United 0-2 Leicester City
Both teams will be targeting victory this weekend for different reasons - United to make up some ground on 17th place, Leicester to avoid slipping out of top-four contention.
Leicester won four away league games in a row before going down to Liverpool, while also boasting a great record in this fixture, so we are backing them to win comfortably.
Top betting tip
Video prediction
Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below:
Daniel Lewis
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Leicester City win with a probability of 53.1%. A draw had a probability of 24.9% and a win for Sheffield United had a probability of 22.02%.
The most likely scoreline for a Leicester City win was 0-1 with a probability of 12.52%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 0-2 (10.1%) and 1-2 (9.52%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (11.8%), while for a Sheffield United win it was 1-0 (7.31%). The actual scoreline of 1-2 was predicted with a 9.5% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Leicester City would win this match.
