Sheffield United vs. Bournemouth Predictions: Expect a tight affair in Saturday's early Championship game

This weekend's Championship action commences at Bramall Lane were automatic promotion chasing Bournemouth taking on Sheffield United at 12:45.

The play-off race looks set for a grandstand finish. Only four points separate third to eighth place and you can barely get a rizla between third and sixth. If- and it is a big if- the Blades can beat Scott Parker's side, they can move to within five points of the Cherries, shrouding the visitors automatic hopes in jeopardy and leaving the door slightly ajar for SUFC, Forest and the rest of the chasing pack. 

Paul Heckingbottom has seven long term injuries to contend with, the majority of which are in attack. Oliver McBurnie led the line on Tuesday, despite suffering from an illness, and should continue to do so on Saturday with Billy Sharp facing a late fitness test. Elsewhere, Filip Uremovic made his debut on the right hand side of a back three alongside John Egan and Ben Davies. He limped off on Tuesday but if fit should continue here. 

Scott Parker will be hoping his side can bounce back from a disappointing trip to the Hawthorns and could look to rotate for their trip to South Yorkshire. Siriki Dembele and Todd Cantwell are pushing for starts and could do so at the expense of Ryan Christie and Lewis Cook.

Bramall Lane has been a bit of a fortruss for Heckingbottom during his most recent stint as Blades boss. Since taking charge at the end of November, Sheff Utd have played ten games in S2, won eight and drawn the other two with their last defeat coming all the way back in October.

Over that period of games, the hosts have only conceded two goals. The first of which was a last gasp equaliser for Nottingham Forest courtesy of Ryan Yates bonce and the other saw Folarin Balogun roll the ball into an empty net following a slip from Wes Foderingham vs Middlesbrough. 

Under 2.5 goals has clicked on 80% of the home games under Heckingbottom, the only times it did not was when the Blades put four past Swansea and Boro but with their offensive injury woes, the goals have dried up recently. There have been two goals or fewer in all four of their most recent games. 

It does feel slightly uncomfortable touting a lack of goals in a game involving a side with as much offensive quality as the Cherries. They rank second for goals scored in the second tier (62) and their talisman, Dominic Solanke, has scored the second most of anyone in the division (24). However, this angle is about the hosts' stellar defensive record on their own turf.

As a Sheff Utd fan, it is tough not to let bias cloud your judgement when trying to objectively analyse them, however, that home record under Heckingbottom speaks for itself. 

Bet365 have a home win and the game to feature two goals or less at 4/1. This bet has landed in 70% of their last ten home games. 

It is also worth noting that the visitor's form has stuttered a little recently. In the seven games since the beginning of March, they have won three, drawn two and lost two. Parker's side dropped points to relegation stricken Peterborough and Reading. 

Unibet have a Filip Uremovic card at 4/1, I think this and Betfair’s price of 16/5 is worth a punt. 

The Croatian was booked on his debut vs QPR on Tuesday, his 34th domestic booking in a career spanning 94 appearances. If you were to base his price purely on his cards per 90 average, 2/1 would represent sufficient value. 

Best of luck if you are backing any of these selections and please remember to gamble responsibly.