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Man Utd vs Sheffield United: Betting preview with tips and prediction
This is a betting preview ahead of Manchester Uniteds clash with Sheffield United including tips, prediction and team news.
Manchester United entertain Sheffield United at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening looking for a win to boost their top four hopes this season.
The Red Devils got back to Premier League action with a 1-1 draw with Tottenham in north London on Friday night with Paul Pogba coming off the bench to win the vital penalty that secured United a valuable point.
The result leaves Man Utd sitting fifth in the table and five points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea with just eight games remaining so Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side cannot afford to slip up on Wednesday night if they want to snatch a to four finish.
Currently, fifth will be enough to secure Champions League qualification due to Manchester City’s European ban. However, should City win their appeal, a fifth placed finish for United would consign them to another year in the Europa League so they’ll be desperate to finish fourth to guarantee their place in Europe’s elite competition.
Usually Man Utd would be a home banker to beat Sheffield United but not this season as the Blades have enjoyed a superb campaign and sit just two points behind United in seventh. Victory on Wednesday would see Sheffield United climb above Man Utd and on course to qualify for Europe – which would be a miracle given the resources available at the club.
Betting odds
Manchester United are currently the 1/2 favourites with the majority of online sports betting sites to win the game on Wednesday. The draw is available at 16/5 while you can back Sheffield United to take home all three points at 13/2. That seems like incredibly high odds for a team that’s just two points behind the hosts in the table.
However, understandably the bookies are backing United and we also predict home win. A 2-0 victory for United is on offer at odds of 5/1 which looks a solid bet but if you fancy the visitors to score, 2-1 can be backed at 13/2.
Bruno Fernandes has been in fine form since moving to Old Trafford and the Portuguese attacker is 9/2 to be first goalscorer in this match. If we bet on Fernandes to score first in a 2-1 United win we can get excellent odds of 48/1.
Victor Lindelof limped off during the draw at Tottenham but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed the Swede should be available to face Sheffield United after saying they picked up no fresh injury concerns on Friday.
Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe remain on the sidelines for United but Paul Pogba is set to be recalled after making a big impression off the bench last time out while David De Gea should keep his place despite being at fault for the Spurs goal.
Sheffield United will be without Dean Henderson as the goalkeeper cannot face his parent side due to the terms of his loan. Jack O’Connell will be available after recovering from a knee injury but John Egan is suspended.
Prediction
United looked solid against Spurs but were transformed once Pogba came on the pitch so it will be a big boost if he starts. Sheffield United were poor during the defeat to Newcastle United at the weekend so they’ll be determined to put-in a more resolute performance on Wednesday. However, I still think United will be too strong and am backing them to win 2-1 at Old Trafford.
