2019-20 Premier League: Week 29 – Sheffield United vs Norwich

Sheffield United look to continue their hunt for Champions League football as they face Norwich City at Bramall Lane.

A win could temporarily lift the Blades to fifth, whilst Norwich look to move to within three points of safety with victory.

 

Team news

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Enda Stevens is a doubt for Sheffield United after suffering a calf injury in the Blades’ last league game against Brighton a fortnight ago. 

John Fleck is also expected to be in contention after being rested during United’s midweek FA Cup win at Reading.

Norwich will be without goalkeeper, Ralf Fahrmann for personal reasons but the German is expected to be in contention next weekend. 

Christoph Zimmerman (tendon), Timm Klose, Onel Hernandez (both knee) and Sam Byram (hamstring) are ruled out, whilst Emiliano Buendia (muscle) is a doubt. 

 

Form

Sheffield United enter this match with one defeat in their last six league games (W3, D2, L1), but the Blades have kept just one clean sheet in their last five outings. 

Norwich have taken four points from their last five league games (W1, D1, L3), but have kept just a single clean sheet in their last six league trips. 

 

Stat Attack

• Sheffield United are unbeaten in their last four league meetings against Norwich (W3, D1), despite failing to keep a clean sheet in their seven clashes overall. 
• Norwich have won their two previous Premier League trips to Bramall Lane in March & November 1993. 
• Neither team is yet to earn a penalty after five previous Premier League meetings. 
• Excluding the top six clubs, Norwich’s Emiliano Buendia has produced more through balls than any other player with 16 through balls in 27 appearances. 
• No team has played more long balls than Sheffield United, who has played 2,027 long balls in 27 appearances. 

 

Prediction

After exhausting FA Cup matches in midweek, I am unsure of what to expect because Norwich fielded most of their regulars in a surprise penalties win at Tottenham, whereas the Blades demonstrated their squad depth in rotation against Reading. 

This therefore could be a close game but Sheffield United need to find more wins if they’re to realistically stay in the fight for fourth, and I can see them getting three points here because Norwich will eventually tire defensively if are pressed hard and quickly. 

Prediction: Sheffield United 2-0 Norwich City

Result: Sheffield United 1-0 Norwich City