Tight affair at Bramall Lane
Sheffield United host Arsenal F.C. at Bramall Lane on Monday evening in the last game of the Premier Leagues 9th round. Both teams find themselves on opposite sides of the table and will be able to climb multiple positions if they victor, read on for our prediction.
Sheffield United
The newcomers were, and probably still are, heavily expected to end the season on a relegation spot but have so far had an admirable run of things. They could, before the start of this round be found at 13th with 9 points to their name (same as Manchester United) along with the goal difference of 7-7 which is respectable. Boring, but respectable.
Problems at home
A rather big issue for the Blades is their negative form at their home arena where they have so far won 1 and lost 3 of their games which is highly problematic due to the fact that newly promoted sides playing their specific brand of football usually only survive due to strong home performances. Amassing enough points away from home is just not possible in the long run.
Chris Wilder's men have a very tough schedule coming up including games against not only Arsenal but also West Ham, Tottenham and Manchester United within the coming month and they could very well find themselves bottom of the table if they don't drastically up their game.
The Gunners are a hard nut to crack but far from an impossible one.
Arsenal
Unai Emery's men have more than impressed so far and could be found at 3rd prior to this round. They have so far claimed 4 victories, 3 draws and a loss (3-1 against Liverpool) and do, despite a few shaky performances, look like a harder side to beat compared to prior seasons.
Poor travellers
However, some things are harder to change than others and the Gunners are still a side that perform far worse when on the road where they have amassed 1 victory, 2 draws and a defeat. It does have to be said that included in those stats are difficult games at Liverpool and Manchester United meaning that it is still too early to say if this years Arsenal are as shabby away from home as they have been during the last few seasons.
Away games at team's like Sheffield United are far from easy, the prem is a very challenging league overall with only a couple of teams capable of brushing aside their opponents like nothing.
Arsenal is definitely not one of them. Yet at least.
These kind of games, more often than not, require gritty, inspiring performances and given that Emery has fielded a very young squad most of the season it still remains to be seen whether or not the youngsters have the steeliness to travel to a place like Bramall Lane and claim all 3 points which is what is needed of them if they are to finish amongst the top 4 and get back to the fine room of the Champions League.
Betting tip
A couple of bets stick out a little extra but seeing how a majority of Sheffield's home games have been low-scoring affairs i will be backing Under 2.5 goals at 11/10 with Bethard.
11/10 seems strangely overpriced.
