2019-20 Premier League: Week 24 – Sheffield United vs Manchester City

Sheffield United face a tough test of their top seven credentials as they welcome Manchester City to Bramall Lane.

A win will temporarily lift the Blades up to fifth whilst Manchester City can cut their 16 point margin to Liverpool down to 13 points for at least 48 hours with victory here. 

 

Team news

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David McGoldrick could return for Sheffield United after missing their draw at Arsenal on Saturday with a foot injury. 

Other than McGoldrick, there are no fresh injury concerns as Chris Wilder has a full squad available for selection. 

Manchester City also have no fresh injury concerns to report, with Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane both nearing returns from serious knee injuries.

 

Stat Attack

• Sheffield United have won just one of their last five meetings against Manchester City in all competitions (W1, D1, L3). 
• Manchester City have taken seven points from three previous Premier League trips to Bramall Lane (W2, D1). 
• Neither team has scored more than once in any of the three previous Premier League clashes at Bramall Lane, with Man City winning 1-0 on two occasions whilst there was a 1-1 draw in April 1993. 
• No penalty has been awarded to neither teams in this Premier League fixture after seven previous meetings. 
• Sheffield United have taken seven points from eight meetings with the ‘Big Six’ this season (W1 D4, L3). 

 

Prediction

Sheffield United will be delighted with that valuable point earned at Arsenal because it stands them in good stead against a hard-working Man City team. 

I therefore am expecting City to press hard against the Blades given their superior quality, but that can be their undoing if come up against solid teams like United who will sit back if necessary and play on the counter. 

This therefore will be a tough clash and particularly with squad changes set to be rung ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup games, so a draw wouldn’t be a bad result except for City who need a win to keep their title defence realistically alive. 

Prediction: Sheffield United 1-1 Manchester City

Result: Sheffield United 0-1 Manchester City