Sheffield United vs Chelsea
One team needs the Premier League points for a Champions League place.
The other needs the points to keep alive their hopes of a Europa League spot.
Naturally then, as both sides have something to play for, perhaps we can reasonably expect Premier League highlights at Bramall Lane.
Talking Points
Both teams warmed up in midweek with eye-catching wins.
Chelsea were thankful for their early two-goal lead as they held on to earn a hard-fought victory at Crystal Palace.
Sheffield United scored a dramatic win over Wolves through a John Egan bullet header deep into injury time.
The Irish defender was the hero once again as he followed up his equaliser at Burnley on Sunday with a powerful headed goal from Ollie Norwood’s corner to help Chris Wilder’s side move into seventh.
The Blades were expected to be amongst a host of clubs contesting a relegation battle this term so a top-eight finish, let alone a European berth, would be a mighty impressive accomplishment on their first season back in the top flight.
On their day they are strong in defence and capable in attack and only newly crowned champions Liverpool and Manchester City have conceded fewer home league goals than the Blades, who have shipped 14.
Wilder’s side may have lost three of their first four home league matches after they were promoted but have only lost two of 13 since.
Indeed, their tally of 51 points is the highest by a newly-promoted team after 34 matches of a Premier League season since Wigan recorded 48 in 2005-06.
What’s more, the Blades have also won three consecutive home Premier League games for the first time since August 1993. Could they make it four?
In the case of Chelsea, their midweek victory at Palace – a week after their late defeat to West Ham by the same scoreline – summed up their season in a heartbeat.
They were fluent on the ball and, in the quicksilver American Christian Pulisic, they boast one of the division’s in-form players.
Yet their problem is that they when they are defending, they can look altogether less secure – albeit Marcos Alonso and Antoine Rudiger (both first choice realistically) were on the bench.
Up top, striker Olivier Giroud has scored five goals in his past eight Premier League appearances; his previous five goals in the competition were spread across 49 games and is showing form that means manager Frank Lampard would struggle to leave him out.
Sheffield United have already pushed the top flight’s big boys all the way at home this season.
If they can win this one, their European dream will suddenly become very realistic.
If Chelsea prevail, their bid for a top-four finish will have overcome a tricky test.
History
Since their very first meeting in 1907, these sides have been fairly evenly matched.
In total, Sheffield United have 27 victories to Chelsea’s 38, while a further 16 games have been drawn.
It was in the very first Premier League season that Sheffield United last won at Stamford Bridge. On that occasion, goals from Adrian Littlejohn and fans’ favourite Brian Deane sealed a 2-1 success after Andy Townsend had levelled for Chelsea.
In fact, they did the double over them that year with a 4-2 win at Bramall Lane.
They repeated the trick the next season when Willie Falconer netted the only goal – the last time they beat them on home turf – but a last-day, last-gasp defeat at Stamford Bridge sent them down the following May.
This is only the second top-flight season the Blades have enjoyed since but they did show real resolve earlier this campaign, fighting back from two goals down to earn a fine 2-2 draw.
Betting Tip
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Sheffield United vs Chelsea | Chelsea Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 1.78 |
| July 12, 00:30 (GMT+8) |
Chelsea are clear favourites with the SBOBET Premier League betting odds as they bid for a third win in a week.
You back Frank Lampard’s men 1X2 @ 1.58 with the draw priced @ 3.75 and the hosts 1X2 @ 5.00.
With Asian Handicap odds, how about Chelsea -0.75 @ 1.78 or Sheffield United +0.75 @ 2.17.
Elsewhere, a repeat of the match from earlier this season – correct score 2-2 – is available @ 23.00.
Goals are often aplenty at both ends when Chelsea play and you can get over 2.50 goals @ 2.03, total goal 2-3 @ 1.91 and total goal 4-6 @ 3.80.
The reason I am expecting an away win is the fact Chelsea have had an extra day’s rest before this encounter and a much bigger pool of players to pick from – something which has been more important than ever since the congested Project Restart came in.
In addition, Sheffield United will not be backed by their passionate home support which has helped them to some terrific results to date this term.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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