Paul Higham is predicting goals as the Premier League returns to Bramall Lane and Frank Lampard enjoys a Stamford Bridge homecoming.
1pt Sheffield United to beat Crystal Palace at 13/8
1pt Chelsea win & both teams to score at 11/4
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The Blades are back in the big time and they've got a huge chance to kick-off their home campaign with three points against a flat looking Palace side who will be desperate to have Wilfried Zaha starting and fully focused on his Eagles future.
United were the best Championship side at home last season but Roy Hodgson's men were experts on the road, winning 29 of their 49 points away from home and with talisman Zaha scoring nine of his 10 goals away from Selhurst Park.
Zaha has also bagged six in his last seven away games so if he's on his game then he, and Palace, will be a real threat on the break if the Blades are too gung-ho in front of what will be a buoyant Bramall Lane crowd.
A point on the Premier League return after Billy Sharp grabs a late equaliser! ⚔️
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) August 10, 2019
📺 Watch the highlights of Sheffield United's 1-1 draw with AFC Bournemouth below... #SUFC #TwitterBlades
Chris Wilder's side played well in their draw at Bournemouth though, and while they need to be wary of the extra Premier League nous Palace will have, there was enough about them to suggest they can justify favouritism in this one.
There should also be goals, with United scoring in their final 13 home games in the Championship while the Eagles scored in all but one of their away games against non top-six sides.
Prediction: Sheffield United 2-1 Crystal Palace (Sky Bet odds: 9/1)
Bet bet: Sheff United to win at 13/8
What a first week in charge it's been for Frank Lampard, getting hammered at Old Trafford then losing to Liverpool on penalties in the early hours of the morning over in Turkey in the Super Cup - welcome to life as a Premier League boss!
It won't always be as tough as that with a talented Chelsea squad, but Sunday sees another tricky assignment as Brendan Rodgers brings his well-fancied Leicester side to town for Lampard's big homecoming at Stamford Bridge.
The Foxes won this fixture 1-0 last season but that was a rare loss for Chelsea against these opponents, and despite results going against them there have been plenty of positives to take from Lampard's first two games in charge - plus he has senior players returning all the time to help his younger charges.
🌍 Olivier Giroud's last 13 appearances for Chelsea in Europe:
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) August 14, 2019
⚽️ 12 goals
🔁 5 assists
🔥🔥 #CFC #LIVCHE #SuperCuppic.twitter.com/wooWJRp0Zu
Leicester weren't overly impressive in their home opener against Wolves and with a home crowd, players improving their understanding of Lampard's philosophy and an extra day's rest from their midweek Super Cup exertions, Chelsea have enough to get off the mark here.
Chelsea's defence hasn't looked the best though, especially against pace, and Jamie Vardy has that in spades, so with Leicester well suited to playing on the break, a goal should be theirs for the taking.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Leicester (Sky Bet odds: 15/2)
🎙️ Frank Lampard thought @ChelseaFC were the better side for large parts at Old Trafford
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) August 11, 2019
🥅 But a clinical Man Utd taught them harsh lessons
✍️ Did 4-0 flatter the Red Devils?#MUFC #MUNCHE #CFCpic.twitter.com/2Tt2lIVD4a
Odds correct as of 1415 BST on 16/08/19