The PL relegation battle still matters - I think
Potentially buoyed by the possibility of avoiding relegation due to the formation of a breakaway league, Sheffield United host a Brighton and Hove Albion side who will all but confirm their survival with a victory at Bramall Lane. The Blades have lost five on the bounce since the departure of Chris Wilder to an aggregate score of 13-1. Wilder did a tremendous job taking the club into the topflight from League One and achieving a ninth placed finish last term, it is no surprise to see the team’s performance level decrease since his exit. Brighton are strong favourites and rightly so but a goals angle seems more appealing to me.
Process
Brighton struggled to break Sheff U down in the reverse fixture, earning a 1-1 draw late on despite the Blades playing much of the encounter with 10 men. They are not as well drilled as they were then, Paul Heckingbottom is a top tier manager and a very short term appointment. A lack of motivation for the players would not be a surprise now the club are mathematically down.
The Seagulls sit fifth in the expected goals standings compared to 16th in the table, picking up seven points in their last four has hugely alleviated any relegation concerns. Fulham dropping two points at Arsenal yesterday due to a goal late on really opens the door for Brighton to propel themselves to safety in this one. Graham Potter’s three at the back system is defensively sound and has come on leaps and bounds since the deployment of Robert Sanchez between the sticks, the Spaniard has made the defenders far more assured and will be confident of keeping a clean sheet here.
Sheffield United have scored just 17 goals all season and sit 19th for both expected goals for and expected goals against. They are preparing for next term wherever that may be and do not have the leadership or quality to pull off an upset in this one.
Goals?
Brighton always create chances but you cannot trust their forward line and in that an unders play excites me more. I rate the visitors’ defence highly and that is where my angle comes from.
- Sheff U have scored in two of 10.
- Sheff U have conceded in nine of 10.
- Sheff U have seen both teams score in one of 10.
- Sheff U have seen over 2.5 goals in four of 10.
- Brighton have scored in six of 10.
- Brighton have conceded in seven of 10.
- Brighton have seen both teams score in five of 10.
- Brighton have seen over 2.5 goals in five of 10.
Brighton all the way but with the price on both teams to score no just under 1.8, based on form and performances this campaign it cannot be ignored as a selection.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Not the way around I was expecting but we'll take the green however it comes. 1-0 Blades.