The picture, Manchester City vs Sheffield United, 1938, is one of four "superb" works by Lowry which, collectively, are valued at more than £3 million.

The paintings will go under the hammer at London auction house Christie's in a sale of 20th century British art on Friday June 6.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United, 1938 is estimated to realise between £700,000 and £1 million.

Rachel Hidderley, Christie's director and co-head of 20th Century British Art, said: "Manchester City vs Sheffield United is from a small and important group of paintings in which Lowry records an actual event rather than a composite image of different locations or impressions.

"The date of the work, combined with the title, suggests the match depicted is Manchester City's 3-2 home win against Sheffield United on October 22 1938.

"Lowry was a keen football supporter, his team was Bolton Wanderers, and in this work he concentrates on the home crowd rather than the team members, using the occasion of the match to concentrate on depicting the personalities of the individuals attending."

Also set to reach between £700,000 and £1 million is An Old Church, 1943, a recently-discovered work by Lowry which has not been seen in public since the 1940s when it was bought by the present owner from the artist's London agents.

Lowry's A Cricket Match 1952, is estimated at £600,000 to £800,000 and has not been seen in public for more than a decade.

And The Sea, 1944 is set to fetch £180,000 to £250,000.

It was bought in the 1940s and passed by descent to the present owner.

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