England Premier League
Saturday 12th August 2023
Kick off at 3pm BST
Venue: Bramall Lane
Match Preview:
Sheffield United are back in the Premier League for the first time in two years and the aim will be simple, to survive the first season back. So far three players have been brought into the club in Anis Slimane from Brondby, Benie Traore from BK Hacken and Auston Trusty from Arsenal, all will be unknown to regular viewers of the Premier League and all came for undisclosed fees. The new signings are also all defence and it has been interesting to see how defence has taken priority over other positions for clubs coming up from the Championship in recent years.
In pre-season the Blades lost 3 of their last four games with defeats against Rotherham, Girona and VFB Stuttgart. Perhaps the loss to VFB hurt the most as it ended 3-0 and they were at home. Manager Paul Heckingbottom has quite a job on his hands and he is already one of the favourites to be sacked before the end of the year.
Crystal Palace enter the season without Wilfried Zaha who has left the club to join Turkish side Galatasaray. Zaha is a legend at the club and seeing Palace without him really represents a turning of the page. Veteran manager Roy Hodgson is back from the back end of last season although this is set to be his final season as a manager. So far the news is good in that Palace have been able to keep their most important players with the exception of Zaha. The Eagles have been fairly quiet in the transfer market but have brought in Brazilian Matheus Franca from Flamengo he is only 19 but could be quite the capture and has been talked of highly.
Pre-season has been mixed with mostly games between neighbouring sides although they did travel to the US and lost to Millonarios. They held Sevilla to a 1-1 draw but lost on penalties and back at home in their final friendly they impressively beat Lyon 2-0.
Team News:
Sheffield United: Jayden Bogle and Ismaila Coulibaly are touch and go both with knee injuries. Rhian Brewster could be a doubt with a lack of match fitness. John Fleck will be assessed because of a recent knock. Oliver McBurnie looks set to miss out due to a foot injury. Oliver Norwood may not be risked as he recovers from a head injury.
Crystal Palace: Michael Olise will miss out due to a hamstring injury, Tyrick Mitchell will be assessed with a thigh injury. New signing Matheus Franca is out with a knock.
Sheffield Utd vs Crystal Palace Head to Head:
The last time the clubs played each other here was two years ago and Crystal Palace ran out 2-0 winners.
The last five meetings in a row have all ended in under 2.5 goals.
In the last 10 meetings it is all even. Sheffield United have 4 wins, Crystal Palace have 4 wins and there have been two draws.
Sheffield Utd vs Crystal Palace Prediction:
As a newly promoted side Sheffield United need to lay down their marker right off the bat and what better chance to do that than at home against a side who usually finish mid-table. Obviously the home atmosphere on the first day of the season will be absolutely electric so the players will have the motivation that is for sure.
Their visitors will have the experience though and the longer this game goes on at 0-0 we could see Palace making the best chances and they look the fitter of the two clubs too. But momentum and adrenaline are everything on that first weekend and we will back the Blades. This would normally be a tricky game to predict but we think with this being the opening game United have to go for this.
Sheffield Utd vs Crystal Palace Betting Tips:
Double chance (Sheffield United or draw) at 1.63
Anytime goalscorer: William Osula at 3.75
Under 2.5 goals at 1.66
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