'I take my hat off to them' - Mark Lawrenson reveals whether he's backing Sheffield United to win this weekend

After consistently tipping United to lose and draw this season, despite a sensational run that sees them homing in Champions League qualification, Lawro has finally backed the Blades to pick up three points this weekend, opting for a 2-0 home win.

He wrote: "Sheffield United have been in Dubai on their winter break, but I don't think that will affect their momentum.

"The Blades have deserved all the praise they have got this season but one of the things I really like about them is there is never a huge difference in their level of performance, whether they win or lose. They are extremely consistent - far more so than most of the teams immediately around them.

The pundit continued: "It has helped to keep them in the top half since August and put them right in the race for European football. For a promoted team not only is that consistency outstanding, it is also quite unusual.

"I take my hat off to them. I have not tipped them to win enough this season so I should apologise to all their fans now, because you know where I am going with this, and it will probably mean they get beaten on Saturday."

Heading into this weekend's match, Blades boss Chris Wilder has urged fans not to underestimate their opponents, despite their comparatively lowly standing in the table.

Last time the two sides met, Oli McBurnie scored the only goal at the AMEX Stadium to secure a narrow 1-0 victory for United.