Gus Hamer starts: The predicted Sheffield United XI to face Pompey | OneFootball

Football League World predicts Sheffield United's starting XI to take on Portsmouth

Sheffield United host Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon, during a weekend which plays host to just five Championship fixtures, due to FA Cup fourth round ties.

The promotion-chasing Blades are under pressure to pick up all three points at Bramall Lane, after fellow top-two hopefuls Burnley and Leeds United both won on Tuesday night and Wednesday night respectively.

Meanwhile, promotion rivals Sunderland could also have another three points to their name come 3pm on Saturday afternoon, as they host Watford in a lunchtime kick-off.

Ahead of a Championship fixture which pits a title challenger up against a Pompey side who are striving for survival, Football League World predicts the Blades' starting XI:

Goalkeeper: Michael Cooper

Michael Cooper has played in all but two of the Blades' league fixtures this term, keeping an impressive 16 clean sheets in 28 outings, and is set to be given the nod by Chris Wilder yet again.

Right-back: Harry Clarke

The Blades signed Harry Clarke on loan from Premier League Ipswich Town last week, and he went on to make his debut last Saturday, helping his side to a 1-0 win over Derby County.

Centre-back: Anel Ahmedhodzic

Anel Ahmedhodzic is comfortably one of the best centre-backs in the Championship, and has played a key role in his side's impressive defensive record this term.

There is no reason why the Bosnia & Herzegovina international should not be named in Wilder's starting lineup to take on Pompey this Saturday.

Centre-back: Jack Robinson

In the long-term, Jack Robinson's spot in the Blades backline may be under jeopardy, courtesy of the loan addition of Crystal Palace man Rob Holding, who is more suited to playing as a centre-half in a back four.

But the Sheffield Star have reported that Holding will likely be named on the bench against Pompey, meaning that Robinson will retain his spot on this occasion.

Left-back: Harrison Burrows

Despite being a defender, there is no doubt that summer signing Harrison Burrows is one of the Blades' most exciting offensive players, as he has produced six goal contributions in the Championship this term.

Wilder's men will be looking to put an inferior Pompey side under pressure, while Burrows' attacking intent down the left could be crucial to that.

Central midfield: Hamza Choudhury

The man on loan from Leicester City made his Blades debut during the aforementioned victory over Derby last Saturday, and looked right at home for his new club.

Hamza Choudhury's impressive performance at Pride Park last time out should mean that he is handed his first outing in front of the Bramall Lane faithful.

Central midfield: Vini Souza

Vini Souza recently made his return to Championship action after previously missing out through injury, and supporters of the South Yorkshire outfit would be delighted to see him in the starting lineup once more come Saturday.

Right wing: Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

Similarly to Souza, the man on loan from Crystal Palace recently endured a spell on the sidelines, but he has appeared as a substitute in each of the Blades' last two games.

This weekend could witness Jesurun Rak-Sakyi's first start in the Championship since he played his part in a 2-0 victory at Cardiff City back in December.

'Number 10' : Gus Hamer

Rak-Sakyi's return from injury, coupled with the January addition of wideman Ben Brereton Diaz, signed on loan from Southampton, could lead to Gus Hamer being deployed in his conventional attacking midfield spot, as opposed to the left-wing role he has often occupied this term.

The former Coventry City man should be raring to go, after completing his two-match ban, which saw him miss out against Hull City and Derby, while fellow playmaker Callum O'Hare could be in need of a rest, having been named in Wilder's starting XI for all 30 Championship games this season.

Left-wing: Ben Brereton Diaz

The man on loan from Southampton scored the only goal of the game as the Blades emerged victorious at Pride Park last time out, and should be named in the lineup once more.

Striker: Tom Cannon

The forward, who signed for the Blades on a permanent deal from Leicester during the January window, scored nine goals in 22 Championship outings while on loan with Stoke City earlier this campaign.

Having made two appearances for his new club so far, Tom Cannon is yet to find the back of the net for Wilder's men, but an encounter with a leaky Pompey defence could hand him the perfect opportunity to score his first goal for the South Yorkshire outfit.