Mark Lawrenson expresses Sheffield United 'second season syndrome' fears and makes Leicester City prediction

Writing in his weekly predictions column for BBC Sport, pundit Mark Lawrenson backed a 2-1 for the Foxes.

Justifying his prediction, the ex-Liverpool defender claimed: "Last season the Blades were outstanding, but they didn't score that many goals. Strikers David McGoldrick, Oli McBurnie, Lys Mousset and Rhian Brewster, although he's unproven, have all come up from the Championship and that is the problem.

"It's that second-season syndrome. I think they were playing way above themselves last campaign. They're still difficult to beat but they're not making enough chances."

Lawro continued: "I think Leicester have some really super players but I don't see them finishing in the top six. You've seen in the home games forward Jamie Vardy denied space to run into, whereas they've won four of their five away games because teams are coming on to them."

"I expect them to beat the Blades."

Meanwhile, Lawro's sparring partner for the week, Faithless' Sister Bliss, tipped exactly the same 2-1 scoreline also in the Foxes' favour.

The last time the two sides met, back in July, Leicester claimed a 2-0 win at the King Power Stadium - a result that extended their impressive unbeaten run against United to nine matches.

The Blades haven't beaten the Foxes since 2008, when a superb first-half hat-trick from James Beattie saw his side blast past their opponents at Bramall Lane in a Championship clash.