SHEFFIELD UNITED travel to Anfield to face Liverpool in Saturday night's Premier League action. James Cantrill (@JimmyThePunt) shares his thoughts on the fixture.
Liverpool vs Sheffield United | Saturday 24th October 2020, 20:00 | Sky Sports Box Office
A depleted Liverpool, without a win in their last two Premier League games, will be hoping to return to winning ways when they welcome Sheffield United to Anfield for the final action of Saturday.
Despite their last league win coming back on the 28th September, the Reds will be confident they can claim all three points. The visitors are yet to register a win in any competition this season and the odds are stacked against Chris Wilder’s outfit.
The shot-shy Blades travel to Merseyside having lost 19 of their last 23 visits in the top-flight. Things do not get any easier for them either, with Man City and Chelsea on the horizon in a daunting build-up to the next international break.
Draw/Liverpool (4.70 Betfair Exchange)
With Liverpool as short as 2/9, backing the draw at half-time and home win come full-time may be the best way of squeezing some value out of a Reds victory. This is exactly what happened the first time these sides met at Bramall when a Gigi Wijnaldum goal 20 minutes from time was the only thing that separated the sides.
This did not land when they met at Anfield as Salah scored after four minutes, however, given Liverpool's injuries and busy schedule they may be slower out of the blocks tomorrow.
Sheffield United's troubling a start to this season should see them try to cling on to the point for as long as possible which suits this angle. This bet has landed in the Blades three most recent defeats and it would have been four barring a late Billy Sharp penalty that rescued a point in their last game vs Fulham.
James Milner to be booked (11/2 Bet365)
With Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita not fully fit, Thiago an injury doubt and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a long-term absentee, James Milner could get the nod in centre midfield.
Milner was outstanding playing there in Liverpool's midweek Champions League clash versus Ajax. Despite being the oldest player on the pitch, no one ran further than his 12.63km. However, no player committed more than his two fouls either, both of which came in the first half and were followed by a booking.
Milner has made three cameo appearances as a CM in the league this season, committing two fouls in just 59 minutes of action.
The referee is Mike Dean and that can only be a good thing despite the fact that he's not been his usual self this season. Dean has brandished seven yellows and one red in three EPL games.
Bet365 have Milner at 11/2 to be carded but is as short as 7/2 elsewhere.
Diogo Jota to score from outside the box (35/1 Betfair)
Sadio Mane was seen with an ice bag on his leg following Liverpool's Champions League game and given Liverpool's hectic schedule the Senegalese international could be given a rest here which may see Jota start LW.
This season, three of Jota's eight shots have come from outside the area (his goal was just inside) as he often cuts onto his favoured right foot. This combined with how deep Sheff Utd are likely to play and the fact that 46% of shots against the Blades have come from outside the box make this seem a decent angle.
However, this bet is all more the price; William Hill have this at 10/1 and most bookies have Jota at around evens to score anytime (only Mane and Mo Salah are shorter).
Best Bets
Liverpool vs Sheffield United – Draw/Liverpool (4.70 Betfair Exchange)
Liverpool vs Sheffield United – James Milner to be booked (11/2 Bet365)
Liverpool vs Sheffield United – Diogo Jota to score from outside the box (35/1 Betfair)
