Betting: Bookies back Blades to edge tight Vale clash

Sheffield United and Port Vale, who meet at Bramall Lane on Saturday, have not shared the points in any of their league duels since they drew 0-0 in 1997, a record which might convince contrarian folks of the potential profit wrapped up in Skybet's 11/4 odds posted about it finishing all-square this time.

There’s every likelihood it’ll be close, for as the betting data experts at betbonuscode.org point out, each of the pair’s last seven league contests (as well as two of their last three cup meetings) have been settled by a single goal. Despite this, online firm Matchbook.com chalk 5/6 in favour of a Blades victory, with Vale, winless away from home, priced at a massive 4/1 by Ladbrokes.

Few of the pair’s recent head-to-heads have developed into goalfests – in fact, none of their last half dozen duels have yielded more than three goals and William Hill’s 5/6 for Saturday’s fixture to produce fewer than 2.5 goals has proved popular, as has Unibet’s 10/11 for both teams to score.

Elsewhere, United are priced at 4/7 (BetVictor.com) to notch the opener and backers expecting it to arrive early can get 9/4 (Coral) against the Blades being ahead after 30 minutes. Punters expecting it to remain that way can get 8/1 (Bwin) against United registering a 2-1 victory and securing three points that could propel them into a play-off berth.

n Betting odds & data supplied by betbonuscode.org, the site that provides you exclusive bookmaker bonuses.