Premier League betting tip :Manchester United- Sheffield United
Jan 27, 2021
Premier League :Manchester United- Sheffield United
Sheffield United have featured heavily in recent weeks and the gist of the notes has been that they were playing "ok", pretty good at times and creating chances and that they had not yet given up, despite their awful league position. Ahead of a home game with Tottenham 10 days ago my notes read ...........
United finally got that breakthrough win on Tuesday, beating Newcastle United 1-0, they did not beat much, the Magpies look awful and are painful to watch, with far too many players behind the ball and playing with little to no ambition, but that is not the Blades fault or concern.
Ahead of the game I wrote ..............
Sheffield United are in dire trouble and 12 points from safety, they are heading for a record low points total in the top flight, but do not yet appear to have given up, almost all of their games have been close (only 3/17 lost by more than a single goal) and they have got something to cling to which was a first win since early July at the weekend. It only came against a tier 3 team and in the FA Cup, but was on the road and was far more comprehensive than the scoreline ( 3-2) suggests, they "won" ITB 17-4, BC's 7-1 , hit the woodwork a couple of times, were denied by a string of saves and goalline clearances and the mood would have been lifted on the team bust heading back to South Yorkshire. United have been competitive in their last three home games, Leicester City, Manchester United and Everton and might easily have taken something from each, today is "easier" and Newcastle have poor numbers themselves, of bottom 4 level, not dissimilar to those of the Blades and worst offensively. It is hard to see how the home side can survive, but it is important for next season that they make a fight of survival as long as possible and take some self belief with them to the Championship as a minimum. Numbers wise this is one of their six remaining win-able fixtures, their next three starts are against Big 6 teams ( Spurs and the two Manchester clubs) and I think we have to give them the opportunity to build on that breakthrough win this evening.
Some of their build up play in that game was really good, far beyond what we might expect from a team in their perilous position and months without a league win. They tried to play football the right way and were actually pretty creative, the result came, that is now two on the trot and they will have had a bit of a spring in their step at the training ground subsequently and also had 24 hours longer at it and to prepare . Spurs drew at home to another relegation haunted team in Fulham on Wednesday night, add in travel for today's game and United should be much the better prepared/fresher team for today. Tottenham are the stronger team of course and few United players would even make the visiting matchday squad, but Spurs ITB numbers are bottom 6, not top 6 level and they are too negative at times under Jose Mourinho and happy to play almost exclusively on the counter attack. Tottenham are favourites today and I have absolutely no issue with that, but sub 1.60 feels too skinny and United's chance for me is greater than 15-16% and they have to be the call. United won this fixture 3-1 last season, a game played post lockdown so only six months ago.
Spurs were much better as you would probably expect and won 3-1 , but United had the same number of attempts on target, more ITB attempts and xG was close at 1.0-1.3, no one is beating them easily, all games are competitive and I guess Manchester United already know that, as they won 3-2 at Bramall Lane six weeks ago. That scoreline was flattering to the Blades, but they did have six attempts on target and it is fair to say that confidence levels are higher now. The Reds have a minus home goal difference (12-13) not sure the last time that was true of a top 2 team in January in the Premier League and they do give space and opportunity here at Old Trafford, I like the odds about both teams scoring.
2 units Both teams to score 2.0 + general quote.........2.10 Pinnacle.
Good luck !