On Saturday, from 15:00, Sheffield United receive the visit of Southampton, in the fifth stage of the Premier League. Chris Wilder’s newly-promoted job has a tough mission, in front of a desperate opponent to earn points in this season debut. The hosts are without Djenepo, Redmond and Obafemi, while the “hotels” cannot rely on Bryan and Fleck, injured.
There are very good odds in this duel, where two groups threatened by relegation meet. Sheffield United has achieved good results this season, but has only one victory in four stages and is 10th in the standings (5-5 goalscoring). Instead, Southampton were 13th, with one point less (goal 4-6), and Hassenhutl’s team was charged with offensive problems.
So far, Sheffield has impressed with Bournemouth (1-1), Crystal Palace (1-0) and Chelsea (2-2), while also securing a victory with Blackburn Rovers (2-1) in the League Cup. The “Saints” come after three consecutive matches without fail: 2-0 at Brighton, 1-0 at Fulham (in the League Cup) and 1-1 with Manchester United. The morale is high in both camps, and Sheffield boasts that he has not lost any of the last three duels with the Southerners: there have been two victories (the last in 2014) and one draw so far.
Interestingly, Sheffield scored all 5 goals this season after the break, approaching the first half with maximum caution. We expect again a balanced first half, dominated by the attention of the two teams for the defensive phase. In addition, Gunn, from the guest camp, is one of the most appreciated goalkeeper of the moment in the English Championship.
PROBABLE TEAM AT SHEFFIELD UNITED – SOUTHAMPTON:
Sheffield United: Henderson – Basham, Egan, O’Connell – Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Freeman, Stevens – Robinson, McGoldrick
Southampton: Gunn – Cedric, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Bertrand – Romeu, Hojbjerg – Ward-Prowse, Boufal – Adams, Ings
PREDICTION: Both teams to score / YES @ 1,86
