Manchester United – Sheffield United
The Premier League enters another English week and the league still has some exciting questions to answer. Who will make it into the European competition, who will be crowned champions and who will avoid relegation? Matchday 29 therefore offers plenty of excitement. On Wednesday evening, the Red Evils from Manchester host bottom-placed Sheffield United. This game is an absolute must-win for Manchester United in the battle for Europe, but they have often struggled against supposedly weaker opponents this season. Find out who has the slight advantage in this clash in our Man United – Sheffield Wednesday betting tip.
Manchester faced second-tier side Coventry City in the FA Cup last weekend. United led 3-0 up until the first hour and everything looked like a commanding win for Erik ten Hag’s side. After that, however, they were far too passive and Coventry actually managed to level the score in the final 20 minutes and take the game into extra time.
And there the underdogs made it 4:3 in the 120th + 1st minute, but this goal was whistled off for an alleged offside. United thus saved themselves for the penalty shoot-out, which they won thanks to their experience and thus entered the final of this coveted competition.
For Sheffield Wednesday, the final matchday was a literal slap in the face. Chris Wilder’s team had everything to play for in the relegation play-off against penultimate-placed Burnley FC. A win would have brought them a step closer to relegation and given them a realistic chance of staying in the Premier League, but Sheffield were already 2-0 down at half-time. They then scored the equalizer in the 52nd minute after the break, but Burnley FC recovered quickly and then scored twice to make it 4-1. It’s a very unfortunate result for Sheffield Wednesday and they now have just five games left to avoid relegation
Man United – Sheffield Info
- Date & Time: 24.04.2024, 21:00 hrs.
- Playing venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
- Competition: Premier League, Matchday 29
- TV broadcast/live stream: Sky
Man United Form & Balance Check
Manchester United’s season hasn’t really come together yet. There are always phases in which they play attractive soccer and it seems as if they could knock on the top with a series. But all too often the Red Devils suffer a setback in the form of surprising defeats.
They have won just one of their last five games, drawn three and lost once to Chelsea FC. Erik ten Hag’s team are currently in seventh place, level on points with sixth place, which could be enough to qualify for the Europa League. The game against the bottom club is a must-win for United
Devils weak at home
The performance at Old Trafford is particularly miserable. Manchester find it incredibly difficult at home and the figures prove it. They have won eight and drawn two of their 15 home games, but have also lost five. This puts them in a desolate tenth place in the home table, ten points behind Europe. A serious problem in their games at home is their offense. With 23 goals scored, they have the fourth-worst home attack in the league
Man United facts & analysis
- Seventh place in the table
- Last game draw
- Fourth worst home offense
Sheffield Form & Balance Check
Sheffield are unfortunately by far the worst team in the Premier League this season. They have won just three and drawn seven of their 33 league games, and have been beaten in the remaining 23. They have drawn two of their last five games and lost the rest.
They have now gone nine games without a win and are deservedly bottom of the table. With a 14-point gap to relegation, Sheffield Wednesday will need a minor miracle to stay in the Premier League next year
offensive weakness
Sheffield is worse than average in all respects. But one statistic in particular stands out. They have only scored 31 goals in their 33 games, which is less than one goal per game and by far the worst in the league. It gets even worse when you look at their away record. 16 away games, one win and only 13 goals scored. Sheffield United’s top scorer is Oliver McBurney with six goals. That’s 45th in the league’s top scorers list
Sheffield facts & analysis
- Weakest offensive team in the league
- Last of the table
- Last game lost
Erik ten Hag will line up his team in the usual 4-2-3-1. There will probably be a few changes compared to the game against Coventry due to the load management. Kambwala will move into central defense alongside Maguire and Mount and Casemiro could play in the center instead of McTominay and the young Mainoo. There will be hardly any changes in the offense, unless the coach really wants to rotate. Then Diallo and Forson are an option for the flanks and Wheatley could play as a striker.
Coach Chris Wilder will also start in a 4-2-3-1. Sheffield will change little from the last game against Burnley, but if Wilder wants to make a difference, Archer is an option in the center and Norwood could start in the ten position.
Man United – Sheffield Wednesday head-to-head & stats
This duel has been played 87 times in the past and the numbers speak a somewhat surprisingly balanced language from today’s perspective. The Red Devils have won 41 times and Sheffield Wednesday have come out on top 32 times. There was a draw in 14 of these games. The first leg between the two teams ended in a 2-1 home defeat for Sheffield Wednesday. In the last five meetings between the two, there have been three wins for Manchester, one win for Sheffield Wednesday and one draw.
Direct comparison (H2H)
