Sheffield United vs Arsenal. Prediction and Preview. Probable Lineups, Team News, Stats, and more

Sheffield United FC will host Arsenal FC in the English Premier League 27th round match at the Bramall Lane Stadium. The fixture will take place on Tuesday, March 5, beginning at 01:30 IST.

Parimatch News will tell you everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming match.

Sheffield United News & Current Form: 

The Blades are having a disappointing season and are likely to be the first club to officially drop out of the EPL. It is difficult to single out one or two main factors that led a seemingly solid team to such a disappointing outcome. Most likely, the previous coaching staff failed in the preparation period.

Sheffield tried to keep control of the ball at the start of the season, but it came out extremely ineffective. Their defense was not perfect, which led to gross errors. Already 66 goals conceded by the players of the team – this is the worst result in this Premier League.

Practically nothing worked in the positional offense. The coaching staff tried various options, but the result was weak. Finally, the management decided to replace the mentor, and in December of 2023 the club was headed by Chris Wilder. He immediately changed the scheme for defense and somewhat cheered up the team, but the effect of novelty quickly evaporated.

As a result, now Sheffield United are in last place in the elite division standings and scored only 13 points in 26 rounds. The team is separated from the save zone by as many as 11 points, so there is almost no chance of salvation. Wilder’s team won only once in the last 10 matches, 2 times played in a draw and lost 7 times. In conclusion, the team picked up just three points in 6 rounds of the championship in 2024. They also have the worst goal difference of goals scored and conceded (-44). 

After a 1:3 win over crisis-hit Luton Town FC, the Red and Blacks have failed to build on that result – alternately falling to Brighton & Hove Albion FC (0:5) and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC last weekend (1:0), all decided by a single goal from Pablo Sarabia. If Sheffield suffer a fiasco at the hands of Arsenal by at least five goals, they will become the first team in English league history to lose three consecutive home games by such a scoreline and concede five goals in consecutive home games at home.

James McAtee – top scorer of Sheffield United FC with 5 goals scored and 3 assists

Meanwhile, the Blades have scored 8 points in 13 games at Bramall Lane – 3 more than in away games during the current campaign, only Burnley FC (5) have fewer. On Monday night, the hosts will be without several important players due to injuries – defenders Chris Basham, John Egan, Rhys Norrington-Davies and Max Lowe and striker Daniel Jebbison.

Also questionable is the participation of newcomer Brereton Diaz (2 goals in 3 games), defender George Baldock and forward Cameron Archer (4 goals), who was absent last round. Finally, key central defender Mason Holgate is still serving his suspension. Winter signing from Atletico de Madrid Ivo Grbic is expected to be back in goal, while Oliver Norwood or Yasser Larouci will compete for a place on the attacking tip.

Arsenal News & Current Form: 

In turn, Arsenal are fighting on two fronts: for the EPL title and the UEFA Champions League playoffs. Head coach Mikel Arteta has proven to be a master of tactical schemes and learned a lot from Pep Guardiola while working as his assistant at Manchester City. The Gunners skillfully use multiple schemes, are solid defensively and effective in positional offense.

Arsenal have a deep squad that allows the coaching staff to rotate organically. Injuries to the leaders do not knock Arteta out of his rut, as he has at least two top players for every important position. Nevertheless, the mentor said in an interview that he knows the Blades’ style well and is ready for a tough game.

Team’s systemically important players include Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, whose transfer made a lot of noise last summer. For the coaching staff of Sheffield it is important to pay attention to these players, otherwise they will be able to decide the key episode in favor of the Londoners.

Key player of Arsenal FC Oleksandr Zinchenko is plagued with injuries and will miss the upcoming game with EPL outsider

Oleksandr Zinchenko also has an important role in the team. He is the main choice for the position of left-back, but often suffers from injuries. Sources say that the management plans to extend the labor agreement with the team leader.

Mikel Arteta’s team is currently in 3rd position in the elite division of the English championship. The gap from Liverpool FC, who are in the lead, is two points, and from Manchester City, who follow the Reds, is only one. The Gunners have virtually guaranteed themselves a Champions League spot for next season, but the stakes in the game are much higher – the English title, which they haven’t held for 20 years, is at stake.

In general, 2024 is perfect for the Red and Whites: the visitors have won the last 6 meetings in the EPL, such a winning streak the club has not had since April last year. Arteta’s team has scored a phenomenal 20 goals with three conceded in the last five rounds, and ahead of it has a trip with the absolute outsider of the Premier League.

Matches have been won against Crystal Palace FC (5:0), Nottingham Forest FC (1:2), Liverpool (3:1), West Ham United FC (0:6), Burnley (0:5) and Newcastle United FC last weekend (4:1). Accurate strikes from Kai Havertz, Saka and Jakub Kiwior, as well as an auto goal by Sven Botman, allowed the Londoners to avenge a frustrating 1:0 defeat at St. James’ Park in October. 

At the same time, the Gunners are third in the overall standings in terms of away performances: in 13 meetings scored 26 points, scored 28 goals and conceded 11. In the UCL, Arsenal suffered a setback in the first match of the 1/8 finals from FC Porto (1:0), but has a good chance of reaching the next round.

In the application Londoners are absent central defender Jurrien Timber and Japanese Takehiro Tomiyasu. Left-back Zinchenko and center-back Thomas Partey are also unavailable due to injuries. Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus returned to the general group last round and remained on the bench. 

Sheffield United form guide: L-L-L-W-L-L

Arsenal form guide: W-W-W-W-L-W

Sheffield United vs Arsenal Head-To-Head Record:

• October 4, 2020: Arsenal  2 – 1 Sheffield United (Premier League);
• April 11, 2021: Sheffield United 0 –  3 Arsenal (Premier League);
• October 28, 2023: Arsenal  5 – 0  Sheffield United (Premier League).

Sheffield United vs Arsenal Predicted XI:

Sheffield United’s possible starting lineup (3-5-2): Grbic; Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Trusty; Baldock, Hamer, Souza, McAtee, Larouci; Brereton Diaz, Brewster.

Arsenal’s possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.

Statistical preview of the match Sheffield United vs Arsenal:

• Sheffield’s First XI average age is 26.6 years, Arsenal’s First XI average age is 25.5 years.
• The total value of United’s squad is 146 mln euros, while the total of Arsenal comes up to 1.11 bln euros.
• Samuel Barrott has been appointed as the center referee. The referee has already served 30 games this season, showing an average of 3 Yellow Cards and also whistles 20 fouls per game. 
• Sheffield United have conceded five goals in their last three home games and have lost 19 of their last 26 English championship matches.
• According to the xG rating, the hosts are averaging 0.99 expected goals per game, while the visitors are averaging 2.12.
• Sheffield United have possession of the ball on average 35.9% of the time, while Arsenal have 60.04%.
• In six rounds this year, the Gunners  have scored 25 goals – an average of 4.17 goals per game. United have now conceded 66 goals in the Premier League – an average of 2.54 goals per game. 
• United allow an average of 7 crosses from corners near their own goal, while Arsenal serve 6.95 corners per game. 
• Sheffield are averaging 2.7 yellow cards per game, while Arsenal are averaging 1.5.
• Arsenal have a series of 6 consecutive victories in the EPL.
• Sheffield United can not win against Arsenal for 5 matches.

What has been said before the match:

Chris Wilder, main coach of the Blades, about playing against the best teams of the league:

“Of course the bookies and people in the game will have us down as the whipping boys on Monday night, we understand that, but the game is not always built like that and results aren’t decided before the game on league position. They go in as favorites, we understand that, but we have to show we’re capable of being competitive and trying to get a result out of the game.”

“Arsenal are flying, but what would you rather do? Play in a Championship game on Monday night or play them in front of the world, playing world-class players and a team absolutely flying? They’ve improved year on year and they deserve the position they are in now. I know where I’d rather be and I’m sure the players will have that same attitude.”

“We are all frustrated and disappointed, before me and now, with the league position and the points total but we’ve got to try and focus on the next game. This is where you want to be, pitting yourselves against the best players, and the players are up for it.”

Gaffer of the Gunners Mikel Arteta about the upcoming opponent and the challenges they expect:

“Sheffield are a really difficult team to beat. I’ve watched four or five games now with the City game, the way they started against Aston Villa FC, and then obviously the game took a different route, but as you mentioned they are extremely well coached. I know Chris really well and I admire his teams, a lot of things that he does with them. It will be Monday night football and it’s going to be a tough night.”

“I imagine that it’s really tough for them and their ambitions are different but it’s really important. I imagine when you are there, you want to get out of there as quickly as possible. We have a lot to play for as well and it’s a big game for us.”

“First of all, you have to earn the right to win the games. We want to be ruthless and efficient in front of goal and I think lately we’ve been really good. With every team, we look at the weaknesses and the strengths and try to take the game to the opponent but I’m saying this because I know that team really well. I analyzed it many years ago as well, the things that Chris did, and I learned from his teams. I’m telling you, it’s going to be a really tough match.

“March is important for us. First of all, depending on what happens for us on Monday and the rest of the results. That would have an impact, so the only thing you can do is the next game and focus on that, and the rest will come.”

Sheffield United vs Arsenal Prediction:

It’s hard to envisage thanks to what the outsider team that has conceded 66 goals in 26 rounds (the worst defense among all teams in Europe’s top 5 leagues) will be able to take points away from the team that has its eyes set on the EPL title. Their forms, ambitions, and capabilities are now at opposite poles: the winning streak in the EPL for Londoners is 6 matches (GD 25:3), while the Blades have lost 5 of their last 6 matches. In this stretch, Chris Wilder’s men have pulled themselves together and beat 18th-placed Luton Town in the six-pointer. Still, it was a desperate must-win fight for survival against a direct rival. Now the class of the opponent is of absolutely another level, and only Manchester City seem to be able to stop the Gunners, while Liverpool were defeated by Mikel Arteta’s wards in early February.

The Sheffielders are steadily heading for relegation to the Championship. Picking up points for them is a huge rarity (0.50 per game on average). And it is a very big exception to be limited to only one conceded goal. In each of the last three home matches the Blades have allowed 5 goals. There is a likelihood that the upcoming meeting will end with about the same result, especially considering that in the first round of the English Premier League the Gunners defeated the opponent 5:0. In all 4 previous head-to-head meetings the Londoners have managed to win, the Blades have only beaten Arsenal 1 time in the last 18 years, in 2019. And now Sheffield United are also hit by an injury blow: 9 players are unavailable, including key forward Cameron Arche. The visitors will only need a win, and a convincing one, to keep up with their direct rivals, who in turn picked up 3 points each this weekend. All inputs suggest that Mikel Arteta and his boys will prevail. 

Parimatch News staff prediction:

We say: Arsenal will win with a handicap (-2.5) – Yes.

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