SHEFFIELD UNITED AT LAST?

We were right about Swansea and Southampton last week but it was a patchy game and, although the Saints kept their winning run going, a draw would have been a fair result. I still think Swansea are in serious danger, though you might argue that Villa have nearly gone and Norwich are hovering over the trap door.

I’m not wild about FA Cup ties as betting propositions. Arsenal should beat Hull but the Champions League game against Barcelona three days later complicates matters, which is why the bookmakers are offering some 4/7.

I tipped Tottenham for the title before a ball was kicked but I was quite wrong about Leicester. To me, Spurs have the look of a team which can go on winning; we always knew at St Mary’s that Pochettino was very good but now he has the depth of squad to win trophies. The players are incredibly fit and they buy into his beliefs, so I think they’ll probably beat Palace, though it may be quite tight and low scoring. I don’t like the other games but Reading will know they probably have to see off a modest West Brom outfit at the first time of asking.

I doubt that any of the three promoted clubs from League One will drop out of the Championship after a single season because they have all improved. Preston can take something from the home game with Sheffield Wednesday and the other two, MK Dons and Bristol City, may play out a scoring draw.

I’ve very nearly given up on Sheffield United, who keep faring quite well away from home but then fail to back it up at Bramall Lane. I still think they will make the play-offs but my main bet of the campaign, a solid each-way bet to make the top three, looks rather optimistic now.

They won at Bury last week but the Shakers are in freefall at present and it would be rash to welcome yet another false dawn. Even so, Port Vale do not score many away from home and the Blades have to win to keep tabs on the top six. They are essentially disappointing and I cannot see Nigel Adkins surviving if they fall short but they are given one more chance to notch a vital home victory and score a few into the bargain.

SHEFFIELD UNITED 25 units at 10/11 (Hills, Sky Bet) to beat Port Vale

MK Dons v Bristol City 10 units THE DRAW at 23/10