It has been a tough return to the Premier League for Sheffield United, with just one win from their opening 13 matches. However, there have been signs recently that the Blades are just starting to find their feet in the top flight again.
Here are some reasons to be optimistic that Sheffield United can retain their Premier League status at the end of the campaign.
Performance Against Manchester City
Defending champions Manchester City have been dominant once again this season, as they showed when they hammered Bournemouth 6-1 recently. Sheffield United gave Pep Guardiola’s side one of the toughest tests they have been faced with this year, eventually going down 2-1 at Bramall Lane.
A late Rodri goal helped Manchester City maintain their 100% record in this season’s Premier League.#SHUMCI | #MCFC pic.twitter.com/7loaLGEZip
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) August 27, 2023
For those looking to bet on Premier League winner markets, Manchester City are currently 4/7 to lift the title once again this season, and they will have been relieved to have come away from Yorkshire with all three points. It needed a Rodri goal in the 88th minute to separate the two teams.
Fortunately for Sheffield United, they only need to face the European champions twice this season in the Premier League. If they put in the same level of performance against the other 19 teams in the league, the Blades will pick up plenty of points.
Victory Over Wolves
“From a personal point of view, I really loved how the fans celebrated with the players (victory against Wolves).
We had a lot of new players in through the door who needed to feel and understand that.” ⚔️❤️ pic.twitter.com/cK0xO4g6on
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) November 23, 2023
Not only will Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom be delighted that his side picked up their first three points against Wolves in early November, but he be particularly pleased with the fighting spirit his players showed.
When Jean-Ricner Bellegarde scored for the visitors in the 89th minute, it looked as though the Blades’ wait for their first Premier League win of the season was going to go on. However, they did not give up, and they got their rewards for that when Oliver Northwood converted a penalty in the 10th minute of stoppage time.
Sheffield United’s home form is going to be very important this season if they are to avoid the drop. This was a confidence-boosting success, and it gives them something to build upon now, especially with some key players set to return to the squad following a spell on the sidelines with injuries.
Everton Points Deduction
After Everton were deducted 10 points by the Premier League, the Merseyside club find themselves locked in a relegation battle now. They moved from 14th to 19th place following the penalty against them.
This year’s relegation scrap is going to be tight, as after 13 games of the season, four teams, including Sheffield United, are on single-digit points. If the Blades can put together back-to-back victories at the back end of 2023, they could make considerable progress up the table.
The games against the teams around them in the standings are going to be crucial for Sheffield United in the final two-thirds of the season. If they can win their fair share of those matches, it is going to give them a big chance of staying up.
Sheffield United end the season against Tottenham on the 19th of May at Bramall Lane. Heckingbottom will be hoping his side have earned enough points by then, so the players and supporters can enjoy that game with little pressure on their shoulders.
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