Opta Stats: Bournemouth v Sheffield United

This will be the first competitive meeting between Bournemouth and Sheffield United since February 2013, while both sides were competing in League One. The Blades won 1-0 away from home. Another Sheffield United win is [4.0].

On the only previous occasion that Bournemouth and Sheffield United played one another on the opening matchday of a league season, Sheffield United were relegated from the second tier that campaign (1987-88). Sheffield United are [4.3] to finish rock bottom.

Sheffield United have won each of their last eight competitive meetings with Bournemouth. They’ve also won each of their last five away games against the Cherries in all competitions. You can back them at [2.92] in the Draw No Bet market.

Bournemouth won their opening Premier League fixture last season, which also came against a promoted side (2-0 vs Cardiff). The home side are [2.06] to claim victory.

Sheffield United have lost four of their last five opening league fixtures (W1). However, they’re unbeaten in all three of their Premier League openers (W2 D1). The draw is [3.7].

Bournemouth have only lost one of their 11 Premier League home games against promoted sides (W7 D3). A Bournemouth win and both teams to score is [4.0].

Sheffield United have lost nine of their last 10 Premier League away games (D1), with their last such victory coming in December 2006 at Wigan (1-0). The draw half-time/Bournemouth full-time double result is [5.1].

In their last Premier League campaign in 2006-07, Sheffield United scored just eight goals in their 19 away games, and never more than once in a match. They last scored more than once on the road in the top-flight in May 1994, in a 2-3 loss to Chelsea which saw them relegated. Under 2.5 goals is [1.97].

Since the start of the 2005-06 campaign, Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp has scored more league goals than any other player in the top four tiers of English football (218). Sharp is [3.25] to score.