Liverpool v Sheffield Utd – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Liverpool host Sheffield United in the English Premier League on Thursday. The Reds are top of the table and will be looking to boost their goal difference in this match. The Blades look certain to be relegated and have leaked 77 goals this season.

Liverpool Form

Jurgen Klopp’s side have only been beaten twice in 23 fixtures in all competitions and twice in 29 matches in the Premier League. They’ve already lifted the Carabao Cup this season and are in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. They beat Sparta Prague 5-1 away in that competition.

A 1-1 home draw vs Man City saw them dominate the second half before thrashing Sparta Prague 6-1 at home for an 11-2 aggregate victory. Before the FIFA break, Liverpool lost 4-3 to Man Utd after extra time as they allowed 3.93 xG in an off-display. On Sunday, they dominated Brighton in a 2-1 home league win.

Liverpool Team News

Liverpool could welcome back Curtis Jones in midfield and Andy Robertson at left-back. The match comes too soon for Alisson in goal whilst Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip are out long-term.

Diogo Jota is ruled out with a knee injury and Trent Alexander-Arnold is unavailable. Ibrahima Konate should come back into the XI.

Liverpool Motivation

This is not only a must-win match, but a chance to boost goal difference.

Liverpool will attack from the first minute and won’t ease off later in the match either.

Sheffield Utd Form

Sheffield United have just one win in their last 13 league matches. Their last 11 league matches have seen them concede at least two goals in each of them and it’s 77 goals leaked in the top flight so far. In late January, they shipped five goals vs Brighton in the FA Cup and lost 5-0 at home to Aston Villa in the league.

Their sole win was a 3-1 success at Luton before a 5-0 home loss to Brighton, a 1-0 loss at Wolves, and a 6-0 home thrashing by Arsenal. To their credit, they’ve kept fighting and are unbeaten in their last two. The Blades conceded late to draw 2-2 at Bournemouth and they drew 3-3 at home to Fulham on Saturday with goals leaked in the 86th and 93rd minutes.

Sheffield Utd Team News

Max Lowe, Chris Basham, and John Egan are all ruled out as defensive options for Chris Wilder. Wingback Goerge Baldock is another who misses the trip to Anfield.

Vinicius Souza and Tom Davies are absent in midfield. Rhian Brewster will play no part in attack against his former club and Cameron Archer is doubtful.

Sheffield Utd Motivation

At this stage, the Blades players will try to enjoy the occasion and showcase themselves ahead of potential transfers in the summer.

A defeat by fewer than four or five goals would be a good result and Chris Wilder will look to limit the damage.

Key Stats

Liverpool have scored at least 3 goals in 6 of their last 10 EPL fixtures.

Liverpool have won 16 of their last 20 matches.

Liverpool’s last 58 home league matches have seen just 1 loss (44 wins, 13 draws)

Sheffield United have won once in 13 EPL matches.

Sheff Utd have conceded 31 goals in their last 9 matches (all competitions)

Verdict

The only question here is the margin of victory and how to extract value bets from the match. Backing Liverpool to win big and Salah to score at least twice looks like the best approach.

Best Bet: Liverpool to win both halves at 1.62

Value Bet: Liverpool win (-3 handicap) at 2.45

Goalscorer Tip: Salah to score 2 or more goals at 2.65

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis