Sheffield United and Luton Town will aim to enhance their respective survival bids when they lock horns at Bramall Lane on Tuesday.
The relegations strugglers are separated by just three points, with bottom club Sheff Utd trailing 18th-placed Luton, although the Hatters have a game in hand.
This is defending. 👊 pic.twitter.com/BG7EDX5cd8— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) December 24, 2023
This is defending. 👊 pic.twitter.com/BG7EDX5cd8
Rob Edwards’ side could move out of the bottom three if things go their way on Boxing Day, but the Blades will remain in the drop zone regardless of the result.
Sheffield United registered an impressive 1-1 draw against high-flying Aston Villa last time out, despite seeing just 22% of the ball at Villa Park.
Cameron Archer’s 87th-minute goal looked set to gift the Blades all three points, but Nicolo Zaniolo’s 97th-minute equaliser spoiled the party for the visitors.
Still, Chris Wilder’s men can take confidence from their recent results, as they have taken five points from a possible nine since the sacking of Paul Heckingbottom.
That said, Sheff Utd remain rooted to the foot of the table, having managed to win just two of their 18 Premier League encounters this season.
Luton Town, meanwhile, secured a hugely impressive 1-0 victory over Newcastle United last time out, with Andros Townsend scoring against his former club.
Despite seeing just 34% possession, the Hatters managed to register 16 shots at Kenilworth Road, limiting their visitors to two attempts on target.
Although Luton have pushed the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal all the way in recent weeks, they have lost three of their previous four matches.
It is also worth noting that Edwards’ men have lost six of their eight away league outings this season, picking up a solitary road victory in the process.
Head-to-head: Luton were unbeaten against Sheffield United during the 2022-23 Championship campaign, taking four points from a possible six.
However, the Hatters have only managed to win one of their previous six meetings with the Blades, giving Wilder’s men a reason for optimism.
Team news: Sheff Utd’s lengthy injury list features Chris Basham, Rhys Norrington-Davies, John Egan, Tom Davies, Rhian Brewster and Anel Ahmedhodzic.
As for Luton, captain Tom Lockyer is continuing to recover after suffering a cardiac arrest, while Reece Burke and Dan Potts are sidelined through injury.
Given that Luton have struggled on the road this season, Sheffield United will be hopeful of picking up a positive result at Bramall Lane.
Forebet predicts that Sheffield United will notch a narrow win over Luton Town on Boxing Day, with the hosts expected to score a solitary goal en route to victory.