Betting: Sheffield United backed to get off the mark against Oxford United

What makes matters even more frustrating is that, with the exception of the Southend fixture, United’s other three matches were very winnable.

Despite this, the even money price posted by Unibet.com for the Blades to register maximum points when they host Oxford at Bramall Lane suggests that bookies anticipate a comfortable home win.

Indeed, with the visitors offered at 3/1 (Betway), Ladbrokes’ 13/5 for Sheffield United to win when kicking off with a one goal deficit cannot be ignored.

Yet nor can United’s failure to kick-start their campaign. Punters expecting them to be thwarted again in their quest for a first league victory can get 13/5 (BetVictor.com) against the match ending all square, while Betfred chalk 4/1 about both halves ending in stalemate.

In the correct score markets, Skybet post an eye-catching 13/2 about the contest ending one apiece.

The match stats team at bettingexpert.com point out that only once this season has either side scored more than a single goal inside 90 minutes, a record which suggests that Paddy Power’s 4/5 for Saturday’s duel to yield fewer than 2.5 goals is worthy of further consideration.

Nor has either team managed to retain a single clean sheet to date, hence the Blades are 6/4 (Skybet) to register their first of the campaign.

Back in the correct score markets, the Blades are priced at 6/1 (bet365) to secure a much-needed 1-0 victory and at 15/2 with 188bet to record a 2-1 win. Punters expecting them to win also have the opportunity to take advantage of the 13/5 posted by 888sport against United enjoying a one goal margin of victory.

n Odds supplied by www.smartbets.com.