WLB DEBUTANT Marcus Ally (@Marcus_Ally_4) oversees the Bramall Lane encounter between Sheffield United and Wolves in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
Sheffield United vs Wolves | Wednesday 8th July 2020, 18:00 | Sky Sports
Two recently promoted sides battle it out on Wednesday evening. The last time Chris Wilder and Nuno Espirito Santo locked horns at Bramall Lane the Blades came off stronger, with former Wolves man Leon Clarke netting a brace, and now captain Conor Coady seeing red after just 15 minutes in the second tier.
Now sitting ninth and sixth respectively in the Premier League, the Blades, who trail Wolves by four points, will be looking be just as disruptive in punching their way back into the race for European qualification with only five matches remaining.
Build up
Before Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Arsenal, Wolves had won all three outings since the resumption of play, impressively all to nil. They intriguingly have not managed a goal before the hour mark in those four matches, demonstrating they are strong finishers… or slow starters depending on what side of the fence you sit.
Amongst a lot of credit in hitting the ground running post COVID-19 break, the loss to the Gunners suggests they had had a nice run of games as oppose to bulldozing their way in the form of Adama Traore to a Champions League spot.
Coming up against relegation threatened West Ham, Bournemouth and Aston Villa in their previous three encounters. They could only muster one shot on target in the defeat, better to categorise it as a game too far for Santo’s thin squad.
The Blades have recovered some of their grit and gusto that has made them the surprise package of the season in recent weeks. Putting last season’s Champions League finalists Tottenham to the sword 3-1, only conceding to a Harry Kane consolation goal. It was head and shoulders their best display since the resumption of the campaign and they carried on that momentum with a hard-earned point at Burnley on Sunday.
John Egan volleyed in the equaliser 10 minutes from time. The team’s spirits will also be boosted by the return to fitness of Jack O’Connell with Wilder’s men still boasting the joint-third best defensive unit in the league.
The betting angles
Twenty-four of United’s 33 Premier League ventures this term have brought Under 2.5 goals, as have all of Wolves’ fixtures since the resumption.
Talking of finishing strongly the Blades found the net in the final quarter of an hour for the third consecutive game at Turf Moor, more available substitutions really giving Wilder a greater attacking threat. Given the above statistics the second half being the higher scoring one looks likely, with all the visitors’ half time scorelines being goalless prior to the Arsenal loss.
Alternatively, you could look to get on side with Wolves as slim favourites, who have had an extra day to prepare and have taken part in just four games compared to the Blades’ six post-break.
The injection of pace at Santo’s disposal from the bench through Pedro Neto and in three out of the last four outings Traore could really stretch United. Wolves’ backline is also inside the division’s top six so looking at the under markets is advisable. You can find a half time score of 0-0 at 11/8 with Sky Bet and additionally Under 1.5 Goals is 31/20 with Betfair.
Opposing this stance you could play the market with Over 2.5 Goals, we do often see more chaotic games towards the end of a season, and three of the last four matches between these two have raced into action with a goal inside the first 15 minutes. A punt on Over 2.5 Goals is drifting at 15/8 with Betfair.
Best Bets
Sheffield United v Wolves – Second-Half to be the Highest Scoring Half (13/10 Betfair)
Sheffield United v Wolves – Draw/Wolves (17/4 BetVictor)
