Manchester City vs Sheffield Utd prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2023-12-29 15:00.
[p]It was a familiar story for Manchester City as they went 1-0 down to Everton, conceding first for the fourth time in five Premier League (PL) games (W2, D2, L1), but they roared back in the second half to win 3-1 to stay close to the league leaders. The newly crowned FIFA Club World Cup champions’ victory did come at a cost though, with an ankle injury to John Stones concerning manager Pep Guardiola.[/p]
[p]He has cover for the England man and may also be able to welcome back Kevin De Bruyne as they take on Sheffield United, a side against whom they’ve never lost in the PL (W8, D3). And as the Cityzens haven’t lost any home H2H since 1987 (W8, D5) and haven’t conceded in one since 1991, whoever makes up his defence has an impressive record to uphold.[/p]
[p]Visiting boss Chris Wilder can’t have enjoyed Christmas much after saying his side “chucked it away” against Luton (L 3-2) on Boxing Day having also conceded late to draw 1-1 with Aston Villa one game previously. He criticised his players’ “attitude to defending” in that Luton game after they became the first team to concede two own goals after the 75th minute in a PL fixture![/p]
[p]The problems are worse on the road as the Blades are yet to keep a PL clean sheet away from home and have failed to score in a joint-league-high 44% of league road fixtures this term. Unsurprisingly, they’re propping up the table and, along with Burnley, are starting to lose touch with the rest of the bottom half – hardly encouraging as they prepare to visit the reigning English, European and world champions![/p]
[p]Players to watch: Phil Foden has netted after half-time in both of Man City’s last two fixtures with three of his last four goals arriving between the 50th and 75th minute, while Oli McBurnie has scored two of Sheffield United’s last five PL goals, both coming after the 60th minute.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Sheffield United are the only team yet to score in both halves of a PL fixture this term.[/p]