Mark Lawrenson claims Sheffield United could find European football 'a problem' and reveals latest prediction

Sheffield United will head into their weekend clash against Burnley in buoyant spirits, after putting Jose Mourinho's Spurs to the sword in an exhilarating 3-1 win at Bramall Lane on Thursday night.
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Writing for BBC Sport, pundit Mark Lawrenson has revealed his set of predictions for the upcoming set of Premier League fixtures, and has - not for the first time - tipped the Blades to lose.

Justifying his choice of a 2-1 win for the Clarets, Lawro claimed: "Both of these sides still have an eye on a European spot for next season.

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"Burnley have already found out the hard way how playing in the Europa League can disrupt your domestic campaign, when they made such a poor start to the Premier League in 2018-19.

(Photo by MICHAEL REGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)(Photo by MICHAEL REGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo by MICHAEL REGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

"Given their squad size and wage structure, I think it could have the same effect on the Blades if they were in Europe - although I would understand why they would welcome that problem."

Meanwhile, Lawrenson's sparring partner for the weekend, Biffy Clyro frontman Simon Neil, opted for a 1-0 victory for Sean Dyche's side, and argued: "Both of these teams are tough to beat but I am going with Burnley at Turf Moor - even though it will be empty of course."

The last time the two sides met back in early November, the Blades powered their way to a 3-0 win at Bramall Lane, with a goal from John Fleck and a brace from John Lundstram seeing Chris Wilder's side surge up to sixth place in the table.