SHEFFIELD UNITED host Arsenal in an FA Cup quarter-final showdown on Sunday afternoon. Daniel McCulloch (@DMcCulloch1984) shares his favourite fancies from Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United vs Arsenal | Sunday 28th June 2020, 13:00 | BT Sport
For layers, Arsenal are the gift that keeps on giving. The North London side have won just 10 of their 31 Premier League matches this season and have generally gone off at prices that seem too short to most.
I have been a victim myself this season. I backed Arsenal at around evens away to Sheffield United at evens in October so the fact that I am able to get 13/10 on Mikel Arteta's men against the same opponents on an essentially neutral venue suggests that that was a very poor bet.
Indeed, while results under Arteta have been reasonable, they are fortunate to have as many league points as they do have, with very fortuitous victories against West Ham and Everton included in that most recent sample. The Expected Goals (xG) table actually has the North London side down in 11th so there is little evidence to suggest that they have been unlucky in any way.
That being said, it isn't that surprising that they are able to earn more points than performances merits as in Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Eric Aubamayang they have two fine finishers. If you compare the strikers these two clubs have at there disposal it really is chalk and cheese.
For all their endeavours there is little evidence to suggest Billy Sharp and Oli McBurnie are good enough for the Premier League and recent performances overall must really concern Chris Wilder.
Since the resumption of top-flight football, Wilder's side have had just three shots on-target in as many matches and have lost by a three-goal margin in two of those, having not been defeated in such a manner all season prior to that.
As a general view I believe backing Arsenal guarantees a trip to the poor house but for all their faults I do believe they have far better players at their disposal and Sheffield United's recent displays have been pretty unimpressive so I am going to go against my usual advice and back Arsenal to win in 90 minutes.
Best Bets
Sheffield United vs Arsenal – Arsenal to win (13/10 Bet365)