SHEFFIELD UNITED host Liverpool in Sunday night's Premier League match-up. James Cantrill (@JimmyThePunt) shares his thoughts on the fixture.
Sheffield United vs Liverpool | Sunday 28th February 2021, 19:15 | Sky Sports
The final bit of Premier League action this weekend has to offer takes place on Sunday evening as Sheffield United lockhorns with Liverpool at Bramall Lane.
The bout pits two clubs in turmoil against each other with two supremo’s that are up against it. The hosts, The Blades, prop the table up- as they have done all season- on a mere eleven points while the visitors have slumped to sixth and could be five points adrift of the Champions League if they lose here.
Both sides are also in the midst of an injury crisis. Chris Wilder will be without any of his first choice central defenders with John Egan and Chris Basham joining Jack O'Connell in the treatment room. This should see vetran centre back Phil Jagielka slot into the heart of SUFC’s defence and this is the focus of my first selection. The ex-Evortonian is available at 7/1 with Sky Bet to get and booking and this is simply too long.
Despite only starting four games, Jagielka has received two bookings, averaging one every 204 minutes played. Most notable, he was booked after coming on vs Man Utd and then was subsequently bought off after a dismal display.
Since that shocking performance, he has put in two stellar performances at Old Trafford and then away at Fulham, however, these have both come in games where Sheff Utd have deployed a very deep low block. This suffocates the space in-behind Jagielka and his minefields protect the space in front of him leaving him very little margin for error. That being said he did try his best for a card at Old Trafford, committing two fouls.
In terms of Liverpool's injury troubles, Jurgen Klopp must be tearing his hair out as Jordan Henderson has been ruled out for two months with a groin injury. He joins the likes of van Dijk, Matip and Gomez on an ever present and seemingly constantly lengthening injury list.
However, even with their injury troubles I cannot work out why Liverpool are at a similar price to the one they were in their last game vs Everton. The Blades have been blunt in attack and shipping goals left right and centre therefore could certainly see Liverpool winning comfortably here which is why I like their price with a -1.5 goal handicap on the Asain markets.
Best Bets
Sheffield United vs Liverpool – Phil Jagielka Card (7/1 Sky Bet)
Sheffield United vs Liverpool – Liverpool -1.5 Asian Handicap (21/20 Bet365)
