While the battle between Liverpool and Manchester City for the Premier League title might not be too surprising, there is little doubt that Sheffield United have defied the bookmakers so far this season.
The South Yorkshire team are currently in sixth place in the Premier League table after eleven games. Such impressive performance is way beyond what people were expecting from the team that was promoted from the Championship last season. So what’s behind the Blades strong run of form and where can they go from here?
Sheffield United To Face New Challenges
While the Blades managed to thrash Burnley 3-0 last weekend, they face a much more difficult task against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. Last weekend saw Tottenham get the point from Everton at Goodison Park, and it’s clear that Sheffield United will have to raise their game on the weekend.
Although the Blades have only scored 12 goals so far this season, it’s easy to see them getting past a leaky Tottenham defence. But with Tottenham’s attack featuring Harry Kane, there might be plenty of punters who are backing both teams to score in this clash. Luckily, there are plenty of resources online where you can bet on both teams to score instead which can be a better option than a match-winner bet. While Tottenham has home advantage, Newcastle United have already won at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which leads to the expectations that the Blades will shine on Saturday.
Following this match, Sheffield United will entertain Manchester United in what should be a gripping game at Bramall Lane on 24 November. That will be followed up by a tough away match to Wolves on 1 December. But after this, the Blades face a relatively easy run of games in the run-up to the new year with matches against the likes of Newcastle United, Norwich City, Aston Villa, Brighton and Watford. All of which raises the unlikely prospect of Sheffield United playing European football next year.
The managerial talent of Chris Wilder
Some critics have stated that Sheffield United are a team without any stand-out players. While this might be the case, there is little denying the fact that Chris Wilder has become an exceptional manager during his time with the club.
Since Wilder came to Bramall Lane in 2016, he has guided the team out of League One with a record 100 points. From here, he helped the Blades finally get back into the Premier League through automatic promotion from the Championship. That featured some typically audacious wins against local rivals like Sheffield United and Leeds United.
Sheffield-born Wilder has proven to be a real hit with the Bramall Lane faithful. His brutally honest post-match interviews reveal a typical Yorkshire gruffness. But his ability to make Sheffield United become more than the sum of their parts is the actual reason why the Blades have managed to crack the top six.
Big Results From The Season So Far
Sheffield United have racked up four wins, four draws and just three defeats in their Premier League campaign so far. What’s most impressive is the fact that some of these results have come against significant name opposition.
The Blades have managed to stun Everton and Arsenal with winning results, and they showed the tenacity to come back from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 away at Chelsea.
As a result, rumours are circulating that link Chris Wilder to Premier League clubs like Manchester United. But as long as he stays in charge, then Sheffield United are looking good for playing top-flight football again next season.
