Sheffield United Vs Manchester City
Tuesday 21st January 2020 – 19:30 Kick-Off
English Premier League
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: BetFred
(All betting odds displayed were correct at time of writing: 19th January 2020 at 12:10)
Preview: The surprise package in this season’s Premier League prepare to welcome the competition’s reigning champions to Bramall Lane, as Sheffield United host Manchester City under the lights.
Premier League Betting at 22Bet
Table of Contents
Sheffield United Preview – Wilder’s men continue to confound?
Drawing with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium was another feather in the cap for Sheffield United and their manager Chris Wilder. That was a seventh point of the campaign versus the so-called ‘Big Six’ this season, claiming at least a point against Arsenal (4), Chelsea (1), Man Utd (1) and Tottenham (1). There are, however, a couple of notable absentees from that list – the current top-two – and having fallen to a 2-0 defeat at the Etihad in December, this is a final opportunity to claim the scalp of the current champions.
The fact we can even discuss the prospect of Sheffield United possibly beating Man City is proof of how much this team has risen in our estimations – though it helps that City’s own star has visibly waned this season. United do appear more primed than most to capitalise on any potential vulnerability in the visitors’ armoury, though, occupying seventh in the table on their own merit after claiming four points from the last six since losing 2-0 at Anfield to Liverpool.
The Blades will also take plenty of heart from their performance in the reverse encounter when doing enough to warrant better from a contest they were more than a match in according to expected goals: xG MCI 0.96 – 1.44 SHF. That is one of three defeats incurred across their previous thirteen league fixtures. Meanwhile at home their record also makes for encouraging reading, having lost only four of eleven (W5 D2 L4) at Bramall Lane since the start of the season and just one of the last seven (W4 D2 L1).
Manchester City Preview – Defensive woes show no sign of abating?
Just when momentum appeared to be gathering pace along comes a familiar adversary to provide another hard-hitting dose of reality. Five straight wins in league and cup came to a shuddering halt on Saturday as a Fernandinho own goal ensured Manchester City failed to register victory at home to Crystal Palace for the second season running – whilst simultaneously surrendering their Premier League crown to a Liverpool side now sixteen points in the clear.
There could well be spoils to be enjoyed elsewhere of course, with Pep Guardiola’s team favourites to lift the League Cup and among the market leaders in both the FA Cup and Champions League. Yet standards have undoubtedly slipped with regards to the league, dropping points on eight occasions so far. Going forward they remain a genuine force, scoring two or more in each of their previous six league games including six in a 6-1 drubbing at Aston Villa on their latest away outing.
However, put simply their defence is not currently fit for purpose. A tally of two clean sheets from their last thirteen league fixtures is drastic by their standards (although one was in the reverse fixture in a 2-0 success), while on the road it is two shutouts all season (from 11 games). Three of their most recent five away encounters, meanwhile, would see them ship a minimum of two goals. It comes as little wonder then that of their seven away victories attained this season, only three were accompanied by a clean sheet.
Click here for more Betting Tips
Betting Summary
We have all the potential for an intriguing match-up at Bramall Lane. The crowd inside the ground will be well aware of their opponents latest slip up and will sense an upset of their own making. Sheffield United have lost once as the home side in the last seven and another dogged, industrious effort would make for an uncomfortable evening for a Man City outfit who must now know their race is run in the title race.
Sheffield United Vs Manchester City – Key Facts:
- Across their last seven home league games, Sheffield United suffered only one defeat (W4 D2 L1) and scored at least once in six.
- It is one clean sheets from the last six away league games for Man City, shipping two or more on three occasions during this sequence.
- At the Etihad Stadium in December, Man City beat Sheff Utd 2-0 in what was a more competitive affair than the scoreline depicted.
Man City’s last two opponents were among the lowest scorers in the division but still found a way to breach a rearguard which has now kept one clean sheet in its past six league games and only two from thirteen. Going forward they remain a force to be reckoned with, scoring on at least two occasions in each of the last six. That only adds to the lure of an exciting contest developing, however, against a Sheffield United side that has notched at least once in six of the last seven when hosts.
Best Betting Odds for Sheff Utd Vs Man City
Sheffield United – 17/2 BetVictor
Draw – 4/1 PaddyPower
Manchester City – 4/11 Ladbrokes
