Fulham vs Sheffield United
These two Premier League clubs may disagree but, in an era where the established big hitters financially dwarf those around them, survival should be seen as the initial priority for both Fulham and Sheffield United.
You may query that given Marco Silva did a wonderful job last season and came fairly close to securing a return to European football for the famous club by the Thames.
Yet realistically, how could they build on that when those aforementioned clubs came sniffing this summer to take away the man who spearheaded so many of their Premier League highlights last term (Aleksandar Mitrovic) and were also within a whisker of snaffling their best midfielder too (Joao Palhinha).
Likewise, two of Sheffield United’s best players in the Championship last season (James McAtee and Tommy Doyle) were on loan and were back at their parent club before a ball was even kicked following promotion.
McAtee has since returned on another loan but it highlights the uphill task these clubs with fairly modest budgets face.
Talking Points
Talking of the Blades, I have already nailed my colours to the mast and said I do think their return to the top flight will be for one season only.
Confidence must be low following the humiliation they suffered 10 days ago at home to Newcastle United when Paul Heckingbottom’s players delivered their worst performance of his reign – he labelled their efforts during a second half capitulation as ‘unacceptable’.
It should be pointed out, Heckingbottom was not responsible for the capitulation of some of his charges once they crossed the white line. And history shows that even a reverse on this scale does not mean you are doomed for the drop.
Their next game at West Ham last Saturday, however, did not indicate they will survive.
Perhaps it all began when late heartbreak, conceding two goals deep into added time to lose at Tottenham, severely damaged their confidence.
The Newcastle nightmare followed and they never really seemed to possess belief against West Ham and looked vulnerable almost every time the Hammers attacked.
In Silva’s words, Fulham were ‘flat’ as they were beaten at home by Chelsea on Monday evening but I don’t think they will be again and expect them to create much more than they have managed in recent weeks.
That may give the slightly under pressure Raul Jimenez (no goals in seven league starts), signed as a replacement for Mitrovic, an opportunity.
Fulham’s lack of goals is becoming a stark issue. Since the international break, they have scored once in three Premier League games, and even seemed to struggle to find the net against a second-string Norwich City in the League Cup.
Without wishing to be disrespectful, the Blades could be the perfect opponents in that regard.
History
Sheffield United have historically had the upper hand in this fixture with 32 victories compared to Fulham’s 23 and an additional 16 draws.
The Cottagers enjoyed quite a day though in their first ever meeting as the sides met three days apart in April 1935 in the then Division Two.
Fulham were home first and promptly hit seven past the Blades in a 7-2 victory at Craven Cottage.
The return game in Yorkshire three days later was a lot closer but Fulham still prevailed, 2-1 on that occasion.
Sheffield United enjoyed their most recent clashes in the Championship two seasons ago.
That was the season in which Fulham romped to the title but could not defeat the relegated Blades.
Shortly before Christmas, Iliman Ndiaye’s wonderful solo goal gave them victory against the league leaders.
The return fixture the following May came after Fulham had already clinched the championship in record-breaking style and, with little to play for, Sheffield United took full advantage with a 4-0 success, courtesy of goals from Morgan Gibbs-White, Ndiaye, Sander Berge and Enda Stevens.
The last time they met in the top flight was in February 2021 when Ademola Lookman netted the only goal for the west Londoners.
The earlier season encounter had ended 1-1 when another Lookman goal was cancelled out by a late Billy Sharp penalty.
Both teams were relegated at the end of that campaign.
Betting Tip
The SBOTOP Premier League betting odds back Fulham and so do I.
They are priced 1X2 @ 1.65, First Half 1X2 @ 2.35, Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 2.17 and First Half Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.36.
Sheffield United are on offer via 1X2 @ 4.50, First Half 1X2 which is also @ 4.50, Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.33 and First Half Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.00.
The draw is available @ 3.70 and a re-run of their last meeting in the top flight – Correct Score 1-0 – will pay out @ 5.40.
A goalless draw between those two is extremely rare – a 0-0 in 1965 remains the sole occasion – so no wonder total goal 0-1 is available @ 3.05, compared to 2-3 @ 1.91, 4-6 @ 3.85 and over 2.75 @ 2.29.
After their reverse at home to Chelsea on Monday night, I cannot see them slipping up at home twice in a week.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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