NEWCASTLE travel to Sheffield United in Tuesday night's Premier League match-up. James Cantrill (@JimmyThePunt) shares his thoughts on the fixture.
Sheffield United vs Newcastle | Tuesday 12th January 2021, 18:00 | Sky Sports
The midweek Premier League action commences at 6pm on Tuesday in South Yorkshire as Sheffield United welcome Newcastle to Bramall Lane.
The two sides endured contrasting results in the FA Cup third round over the weekend. Our hosts secured their first victory of the campaign- at the 19th time of asking- beating Bristol Rovers 2-3 while visitors Newcastle succumbed to a 2-0 loss vs Arsenal despite a valiant performance that took the game to extra-time.
The two sides have not endured contrasting results domestically though. The Blades are on track to best the infamous tally of 11 points- the fewest ever equated in a Premier League season- set by Derby in the 2007/08 season.
The Magpies are currently on a winless streak stretching back seven games. The fact that Newcastle are not the bookies favourite against a side they did the double over last season by an aggregate score of 6-1 tells you all you need to know about the quality of their recent performances.
Chris Wilder can add COVID outbreak to the lengthening list of problems he has had to endure this season with Billy Sharp and Phil Jagielka both likely to be sidelined with the virus. The Blades boss also said that Enda Stevens, George Baldock and Lys Mousset face late fitness tests ahead of the game.
Should SUFC’s ever present wing backs miss out, the impressive Jayden Bogle and Ben Osborn should slot into the starting XI. Elsewhere, Ampadu should start at LCB and Oli Burke should get the nod in attack alongside McGoldrick following an impressive display at the weekend.
Despite mounting criticism from the Newcastle faithful, Steve Bruce is unlikely to abandon his tactical approach. Ryan Fraser and Jamal Lewis will face late assessment though the game might come too soon for Lewis. Callum Wilson and Jonjoe Shelvey are both expected to start having been rested at the weekend.
The betting angles
My first bet comes via The Blades’ right wing back Jayden Bogle. Boyle has had to bide his time since joining from Derby at the start of the season but has grabbed his chance with both hands. He has started both of Sheffield United’s last two games and staked his claim to make it three with impressive performances.
SkyBet have him priced at 9/10 to attempt a solitary shot on Tuesday night. This is a feat that he has managed in both of his appearances wearing red and white versus Bristol Rovers, Bogle had a total of three shots, one of which he scored from, which is why SkyBet's price of 9/2 for two shots also takes appeal.
Given he was amongst the goals in his last appearance I have also had a small play on Bogle to score anytime (25/1) and first (60/1) with Sporting Index.
The fact that the next best price for him to score is 12/1 makes this a desirable punt but having watched him closely in his last two starts you appreciate how good his attacking output is. The good positions he gets himself into and the decisive and direct nature of the runs he makes makes him one of the sharper players in a blunt Blades side.
In the EPL this season, only Leeds have conceded more goals from set pieces than Sheffield United with the Blades shipping an average of 3.76 shots from corners and set pieces per game. Therefore, at odds of 31/20 with Poker Stars, Ciaran Clark’s shot price takes appeal.
Newcastle’s centre back has the highest SpG (0.6), xG (0.42) and joint most goals (one) of any defender at the club. Clark has registered at least one shot in four of his last five EPL games and given the opposition you would fancy him to add to his seasonal total of five tomorrow.
Best Bets
Sheffield United vs Newcastle – Jayden Bogle 1 Shot (9/10 SkyBet)
Sheffield United vs Newcastle – Jayden Bogle 2 Shots (9/2 SkyBet)
Sheffield United vs Newcastle – Jayden Bogle Anytime Goalscorer (25/1 Sporting Index)
Sheffield United vs Newcastle – Jayden Bogle First Goalscorer (60/1 Sporting Index)
Sheffield United vs Newcastle – Ciaran Clark Shot (31/20 Poker Stars)
