Premier League: Is This Mismatch the Biggest Yet?

Sheffield United vs Manchester City

I do not wish to be disrespectful when I say this could be one of the biggest mismatches in Premier League history.

That is not a criticism of Sheffield United who deservedly gained promotion last term just two seasons after finishing well adrift at the foot of the top-flight.

That is not a criticism either of Manchester City who may have untold riches but have used them superbly and just two months ago, became only the second English team in history to win “the Treble”.

There just comes a time, however, when spirit and effort can only take you so far and a gulf in resources and quality shows itself in a one-off game – let alone over the course of a season.

That moment could come this Sunday at Brammall Lane.

Talking Points

I hope not, for the Blades are a real example of a club holding their own against much bigger fish.

Yet since last season’s promotion as runners-up in the Championship, the club from the “Steel City” has encountered a series of blows.

Manager Paul Heckingbottom saw the departure of Iliman Ndiaye, the team’s undoubted star, before a ball was kicked a fortnight ago as the Senegal international was sold for £20 million to Marseille.

Then key midfielder Sander Berge left for Burnley – the team that finished ahead of them last term –- enveloping a sense of chaos club in the days leading up to the season opener (a 1-0 home defeat by Crystal Palace).

Now, losing a key man to a European force is one thing, but to a side expected to be a rival in the bid to beat the drop this season is very much another.

If those sales threatened to derail the campaign before it began, the gap was further highlighted as two of the vital cogs in their promotion push, James McAtee and Tommy Doyle, returned to their parent club – Manchester City.

Heckingbottom’s side then are undeniably in a significantly weaker position than they ended last season, not exactly the ideal recipe.

Don’t rule them out having some Premier League 2023 highlights to enjoy for they still have some experienced figures in the squad, not to mention the youthful talent of Daniel Jebbison.

But few are expecting them to have enough to survive, a point I made after they lost their second match a week ago to Nottingham Forest.

So, what chance have they against the champions? Very little.

Who knows? Perhaps McAtee, Doyle, or both will end up returning to Yorkshire given they are not in the mix in City’s first team squad and have been pushed further down the pecking order this week with Jérémy Doku arriving in a £55 million deal from Rennes and Wolves’ Matheus Nunes also on their wishlist.

That, though, just shows the different spheres in which these two clubs are operating at both off the pitch and on it.

History

City have won their last five straight meetings, including a Premier League double in 2020-21 when they ran out 1-0 winners in both games en route to the title, courtesy of goals from Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus, respectively.

Sheffield United did cause an upset in the FA Cup in 2008 when, managed by Bryan Robson, they inflicted a surprise 2-1 defeat.

Although Sheffield United beat City in the second tier in January 2000, the last time they beat them in the top-flight was in 1992, the season before the Premier League was formed.

On that occasion, they secured a 4-2 home win when Mike Lake, Brian Gayle, home favourite Brian Deane, and Dane Whitehouse scored the goals. Keith Curle and Andy Hill were City’s marksmen.

Overall, Sheffield United have 38 victories to City’s 54 with a further 34 clashes ending level.

Betting Tip

The gulf between the sides is reflected in the SBOTOP Premier League 2023 betting odds.

In fact, you wonder if the Blades have any chance at all, considering they are priced 1X2 @ 12.50 and City are only 1X2 @ 1.17. Even the draw is not fancied given the odds stands @ 6.00.

Asian Handicap odds also reflect that feeling with Sheffield United on offer +1.75 @ 2.23 and City available -2.00 @ 1.95.

Another 1-0 City victory will pay out @ 6.20 with Correct Score. Contrast that with a 1-0 win for the hosts which is offered at a staggering @ 42.00.

Goal options include over 3.25 @ 2.23, Total Goal 0-1 @ 4.70, and 4-6 @ 2.68, but I will go Total Goal 2-3 at 2.12.

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.