WOLVES welcome Sheffield United in Saturday's Premier League encounter. Rob Mason (@Sturdys29) delivers his betting analysis.
Wolves vs Sheffield United | Saturday 17th April 2021, 20:15 | Sky Sports
“It ain’t over till the fat lady sings” but unfortunately for Sheffield United fans, she is warming her vocal cords for their trip to Molineux. The Blades are at the foot of the Premier League table and are 18 points adrift of Newcastle in 17th.
A draw or defeat, combined with results elsewhere on Saturday evening, would see the Blades relegation confirmed.
The Yorkshire club have now lost 9 of their last 10 league games which has also coincided with caretaker boss Paul Heckingbottom’s appointment (Heckingbottom has lost 4 out of 4 whilst in charge).
Wolves got a vital 3 points last time out against Fulham with Adama Troare (more to come from him later) getting an injury time winner. The victory at Craven Cottage was their first win in 6 having only collected 2 points in that run (2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5).
That 3 points meant the Old Gold propelled themselves to 12th in the league, 12 points clear of Fulham in 18th (Fulham having 6 games remaining).
A win at home on Saturday night for the Old Gold would see them achieve the magical 40-point total and surely any relegation fears would be over.
The betting angles
In the outright markets Wolves are 8/11 to with the draw at 5/2 and Sheffield United 5/1.
It is hard to overlook the Blades recent record and it does not look like Heckingbottom has changed their fortunes. At 8/11, I still feel Wolves are slightly on the skinny side (their form has not been the best recently either) but is still the most likely outcome, especially considering a morale boosting injury time winner last time out.
Instead of going for a straight Wolves win, I will enter a slightly different market. Of the Old Gold’s 10 league victories this season, all 10 have come by a scoreline of 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1.
Taking into consideration that 18 of the Blades 25 defeats have also come by the same correct score grouping, SkyBet’s offer of 6/4 enhances the outright Wolves price and is one I am keen on.
Adama to make his mark
It was Adama Traore’s first league goal of the season last time out which should bring him plenty of confidence. An injury to Pedro Netro (ruling him out for the season) may coincide with the striker playing further forward against the Blades which will hopefully aid the below proposals.
The Spanish international has also taken more attempts on goal as of late, so his first goal of the season should not have come as a surprise.
In the first 23 games of the season, Traore achieved 14 shots in total. The tricky winger has achieved the same number of shots (14) in his last 7 games showing a much higher output.
In the same period Traore has also had a shot on target (SOT) in 4 of those games and considering that the Blades concede 15 shots per game away from home, (5th highest in the league) William Hill’s offering of 11/8 for a SOT looks overpriced.
Traore also had 3 shots in the last head-to-head against the two teams and bearing in mind his last 7 games have averaged 2 shots per game, a price of 10/3 for over 2 shots (William Hill) considering the opposition is another angle I am keen to get involved with at the price.
I do not want to go overkill on the same market, but I would also consider higher lines. Over 3 shots is priced at 8/1 and 2 SOT at 7/1 also with Hills if you want bigger prices.
The odds are a lot shorter elsewhere, so I do expect these prices to go quickly unfortunately. I would however accept Boyle Sports prices of 23/20 for a SOT and 21/10 for over 2 shots.
Best Bets
Wolves vs Sheffield United – Wolves to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 (6/4 Sky Bet)
Wolves vs Sheffield United – Adama Traore 1 shot on target (11/8 William Hill)
Wolves vs Sheffield United – Adama Traore over 2 shots (10/3 William Hill)
