Arsenal VS Sheffield United Match Prediction
2020-01-18
15:00:00
Arsenal
VS
Sheffield United
Our Prediction Tip
Draw will win this match.
2020-01-1815:00:00 Draw will win this match.
October’s match at Bramall Lane was the first time Arsenal and Sheffield United had met since Arsenal won 6-0 in the League Cup in September 2008. The Blades were victorious last time out, however, with Lys Mousset scoring the only goal of their Monday night fixture.
Arsenal have made an unbeaten start to the New Year, but their draw with Crystal Palace last time out was overshadowed by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s red card.
They have the attacking talent beyond the Gabonese striker to cope with his absence, but a match against defensively resolute Sheffield United is the exact sort where you need your star man to create some magic.
On the road, Sheffield United have been difficult to beat this season – losing only to Manchester City and Liverpool so far.
That is an excellent record in anybody’s books, and the fact they bounced back from those defeats to the champions and the league leaders by beating West Ham was important.
Oli McBurnie scored and then enjoyed a derby day in among the Swansea fans, but the striker’s focus is unlikely to have been altered by the media reports of his actions in the crowd.
He and Lys Mousset – who scored when these teams last met – could be key against an Arsenal defence that still does not look fully settled.
Mikel Arteta has found a bit of form, but Arsenal remain in mid-table, below the Blades, and Sheffield United have the away form this season to keep it that way.
If Fleck and Lundstram control the game in midfield and the tempo, Chris Wilder’s side will once again be difficult to beat.
With home advantage, Arsenal are odds-on favourites but that does a disservice to Sheffield United’s strong away record this season. The draw is a generous best price of 11/4 with Bet365.
Both teams to score has been set at 5/6 with Betway and 10Bet, but under 2.5 goals will return 10/11 with Bet365 and Betfair.
A draw and BTTS is priced at 4/1 with Bet365, meanwhile.
Alexandre Lacazette is a best price of 6/5 with 888sport to score at any time with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang absent for this game, while Lys Mousset is 11/4 with 888sport for Sheffield United.
Sheffield United’s away form is a large part of why they merit their current league position and Arsenal, hardly in world-beating form themselves, could be the latest team denied points by the Blades.
Arsenal’s appeal against Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang failed, meaning the Gabonese striker will mis out. Lucas Torreira, Sead Kolasinac and Hector Bellerin are back in training, though the former two are closer to fitness than the latter. Calum Chambers and Kieran Tierney are long-term absentees, meanwhile. Aubameyang’s ban could mean a start for Gabriel Martinelli.
Alexandre Lacazette – Set up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal at the weekend – his second assist – and he has scored six times this season too.
Nicholas Pepe – Scored in the win against Manchester United on New Year’s Day but it is fair to say he has not yet made the impact many were hoping for.
Jonny Evans – Leads the Leicester defence that, after their chastising loss to Liverpool, may still feel Gabriel Martinelli – The young Brazilian could be handed a starting chance and he has caught the eye with his appearances so far this season.
Arsenal are actually unbeaten in 2020, bouncing back from a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea by beating Manchester United 2-0 on New Year’s Day, before an FA Cup win at home to Leeds and their draw with Crystal Palace last weekend. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored their goal at Palace, but he was later sent off after Palace had equalised as Arsenal remained stuck in mid-table.
Simon Moore and Michael Verrips could be available again, but Dean Henderson is likely to keep the number-one jersey and the Blades otherwise have a full outfield squad to choose from.
Lys Mousset – Scored when these teams last met – one of five goals he has managed this season to top the Blades’ league goals chart.
John Fleck – The Scottish midfielder is central to Sheffield United’s system and has scored four times in 19 matches so far this season.
John Lundstram – A Fantasy Football favourite this season, but that is born out of the role he has played on the pitch for the Blades so far.
Sheffield United bounced back from their back-to-back defeats at Manchester City and Liverpool by beating National League AFC Fylde and, more significantly, seeing off West Ham in the league last time out. Oli McBurnie scored their only goal of the game in Friday’s fixture, but a late VAR intervention cancelled out a last-minute West Ham equaliser.
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