Sheff Utd v Portsmouth: Hosts on for low-scoring win

Tranmere’s 1-1 draw with Preston allowed Sheffield United to move within three points of the League One summit and a win over Portsmouth will see them join Rovers at the top.

Having won four of their last five league games and still to taste defeat this season, it’s easy to understand why Danny Wilson’s men are comfortable favourites for this one at 8/11.

Solid at the back, the only frustrating aspect of the Blades’ season to date is their struggle to find the back of the net. Incredibly, they have scored just once 11 times this campaign, including their last four league games, and two of these were penalties.

With seven draws to date, United would hold a commanding lead over their promotion rivals were they more competent in the final-third. These struggles make the 5/6 available for their goal tally to fail to get above one again good value.

Similarly, 1-1 has been the most common scoreline in the 14 League One encounters the Blades have played out, occurring no less than six times already.

This points to the draw in this one being a good bet at 11/4, while the 6/1 saying that the Bramall Lane faithful will endure their fourth 1-1 of the campaign is worth a few quid.

Portsmouth have recovered from a rocky start to life in England’s third tier and were five games unbeaten prior to defeat at promotion-chasing Stevenage last time out.

They shouldn’t be ignored here and the host of ex-Blades in the Pompey ranks will be looking to burst their former club’s unbeaten bubble.

Izale McLeod, who endured a frustrating loan spell in south Yorkshire, has bagged six goals in as many games in his side’s mini-revival and, at 11/2, offers punters a real opportunity for windfall in the first goalscorer market.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date