PUNDITS are backing Cherries to record a routine victory over struggling Sheffield United this afternoon.

The beleaguered Blades head to Vitality Stadium sitting bottom of the Premier League table, 11 points from safety and having lost 6-0 to Arsenal on Monday night.

It marked a third loss on the spin for Chris Wilder’s men, without scoring in any.

Speaking in his role as a pundit for BBC Sport, former Blackburn Rovers and England striker Chris Sutton predicted a 3-0 win for Andoni Iraola’s side, explaining: “Bournemouth did not have it all their own way when they beat Burnley last week but I am expecting them to find it a lot easier against Sheffield United.

“If things don't go well for them, Cherries fans can blame me, because I am triple-captaining their striker Dominic Solanke in my Fantasy Football team this weekend.

“Something will have to go badly wrong if they are beaten here, though. Blades boss Chris Wilder said his players were 'broken' after their latest heavy defeat, 6-0 at home to Arsenal on Monday. Being kind, this has been a season to forget for them.

“Like Burnley, the Blades have often been outclassed to the point where it has become embarrassing for their fans.

“I know what that feels like because I live near Norwich and my old club's last two top-flight campaigns have been so disappointing - the Canaries finished last in 2019-20 and 2021-22 - that some of their supporters would rather have stayed in the Championship.

“Similarly, it has not been a pleasant experience for Sheffield United fans seeing their team humiliated week in, week out, which is what has happened. It's been a desperate campaign so far, and I don't see it improving now.”

Meanwhile, in his role as brand ambassador for BetVictor, former Cherries boss Harry Redknapp went for a 2-0 Cherries win.

He said: “It wasn’t a classic, but that win at Burnley last week was so important. Another win will probably be enough for this side, and they’ve got a great chance here.

“What can I say about this Sheffield United side, it’s just been so poor. They just seemed to have no fight, no desire about them the other night against Arsenal. I feel for Chris Wilder, it’s going to be a long end to the season for this side.

“Surely Bournemouth win this!”

Asked for his one to watch in the fixture, Redknapp added: “Dominic Solanke gets a lot of the plaudits, but I like the lad Antoine Semenyo out wide, he’s a real threat.

“He got one last week and on another day, he might have had two or three.”