SHEFFIELD UNITED host Southampton on Saturday in the Premier League. Marcus Ally (@Marcus_Ally_4) oversees the encounter.
Sheffield United vs Southampton | Saturday 6th March 2021, 15:00 | Sky Sports
Buoyant from a hard-earned win at home to Aston Villa last time out, Chris Wilder’s rock bottom Sheffield United welcome Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Southampton to Bramall Lane this Saturday, looking to continue to build some positive momentum.
After such a horrible first half of the campaign there has been a good feeling around the Blades since the turn of the year, picking up wins over Newcastle, West Brom and Manchester United in particular has changed the mood of the team.
However there were signs that was slipping away with three consecutive losses without scoring in the second half of February, such was the importance of the win over Villa, pushing United back in the right direction.
Process
After flirting in and around the top four for much of the opening knockings of the season, the ruthless fixture congestion and a dip in form has seen Southampton fall away quite consistently.
The Saints come into this one having lost eight of their last nine Premier League outings. Regression has well and truly hit, there was an unsustainable nature to there earlier scalps according to expected goals and so us xG philosophers will not be raising an eyebrow at the poor form that has followed.
That being said they have underperformed in defence, this statistic certainly exacerbated by their 9-0 loss at Old Trafford earlier this year, letting in 44 goals from 37.8 xG. Despite Danny Ings being the standout name on the team sheet he has been feeding off scraps this season, the Saints have been far more solid at the back than they have been potent going forward, ranking 16th for xGF and 12th for xGA.
The league table has looked a lot more bleak than the performance indicator this term for Sheffield United, so it is a little relief to see them making some respectability of the campaign in the last few months.
The Blades have flattered to deceive to great extent in front of goal, converting just 16 strikes from 26.9 xG sitting them 17th for xGF, David McGoldrick is enjoying a swan song to his career leading the line, aged 33 he has scored six league goals from 4.87 xG.
Goals?
I am looking at the unders market for this one, Saints are on the decline and Sheff U will be lifted by Wednesday night’s result.
- Sheff U have scored in six of 10.
- Sheff U have conceded in eight of 10.
- Sheff U have seen both teams score in four of 10.
- Sheff U have seen over 2.5 goals in five of 10.
- Saints have scored in six of 10.
- Saints have conceded in eight of 10.
- Saints have seen both teams score in four of 10.
- Saints have seen over 2.5 goals in five of 10.
This a good chance for the Blades to go level on points with West Brom with a win, however Saints are due a result and will back themselves against the toothless Blades.
Best Bets
Sheffield United vs Southampton – Under 2.0, 2.5 Asian Goals (24/25 Bet365)
