Things look grim in Sheffield United’s Premier League bid for survival. Chris Wilder’s side are at the bottom of the table and 15 safety points with just 12 games to go.
While a big breakout seems less likely with each passing week, are the Blades able to pick up enough points somewhere while their relegation rivals hesitate and achieve the impossible?
Where Sheffield United can collect points
Mammoth task for blades
While Sheffield United have only won three Premier League games all season, it seems inconceivable to predict that the Blades will win maximum points on many other occasions. Moreover, the bottom club in the division has only scored 15 times all season. Despite that, a win over Manchester United at Old Trafford proved anything is possible this season.
With 36 points remaining, Chris Wilder’s side will face seven teams currently in the bottom half of the table, with their other five games against the opposition in the top half. On the sides of the lower half, the Blades face every team currently outside the relegation zone. Picking up points against teams that are in danger of falling themselves could be a sine qua non to avoid the fall.
Back-to-back home games
A home game against Aston Villa is the next game for Sheffield United. The Blades may have lost their last four Premier League games, but their most recent victory came at Bramall Lane against West Brom. Villa have shown inconsistencies in recent weeks but are undefeated in their last three away games. The last six meetings between the teams have resulted in two wins each and two draws, while the last three have followed the same pattern. One point here might get things done.
The Blades then welcome a team from Southampton in difficulty. The Saints recently ended the club’s record of six consecutive Premier League defeats in a draw against Chelsea, but followed that point with losses to Leeds United and Everton, extending their winless run to nine.
As a result, Southampton could be there for the taking, although the Blades have lost all three Premier League fixtures to Ralph Hassenhüttl’s side.
Points needed for a difficult race
Obviously, no game is easy, but the next five could define the season. First, a trip to Leicester City. The Foxes are third in the Premier League and have Champions League football hopes for next season. Leicester face compatriots Burnley and Brighton ahead of the Blades, so Wilder is hoping for back-to-back wins for the Foxes before his side travel to the Midlands.
Sheffield United have lost their last five encounters against Leicester and follow up that difficult game with an FA Cup clash against Chelsea. If the Blades earn vital league points ahead of Chelsea’s game, the game could be a deterrent for any potential league form.
A home game against Arsenal comes between trips to Leeds United and Wolves respectively. The three teams are 10th, 11th and 12th in the Premier League. Leeds won the reverse game against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane but have shown inconsistencies this season. It’s a similar story with Arsenal, but the Blades won this game last time around. Wolves beat Sheffield United earlier in the season, but Wilder’s side collected four points against their opponents last season.
The last six games could be won or interrupted
Sheffield United are heading into the last six league games knowing they could already be down. If they are still fighting, however, these matches could be favorable.
Brighton visits Bramall Lane in a whopping six points. The Seagulls themselves are just three points ahead of the fall after their controversial loss to West Brom this weekend. The Blades are unbeaten in their three previous Premier League encounters against Brighton.
A difficult trip to Tottenham follows. Sheffield United have beaten Spurs since returning to the Premier League and drew at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season.
Crystal Palace shouldn’t be in real relegation danger, but Roy Hodgson’s side are just ten points ahead of the crash. Sheffield United won both games against the Eagles last season and will be looking for the same result at Bramall Lane this time around.
Everton could be a tricky test. The Toffees have won the last two meetings between the teams, but Sheffield United won that game last year. However, Everton are two places and seven points better than they were at this point last season.
The last two matches could be massive. At present, Newcastle United and Burnley are 17th and 15th respectively and just three and five points above the relegation zone.
Newcastle have lost eight of their last 11 Premier League games and the Blades will be looking for a brace against Steve Bruce. The same goes for the Clarets. Sheffield United drew at Turf Moor last season but won their home game 3-0.
How Sheffield United compare to past seasons
Norwich City suffered relegation last season, finishing last with just 21 points. However, the Blades are currently seven points worse off than the Canaries at this point last year.
The year before, Huddersfield Town was at the bottom, also with 11 points. The Terriers ended the campaign with the third-worst points total in Premier League history after finishing with just 16 points.
Recent seasons suggest that the iconic 40-point safety mark has gone out the window. In the past six seasons, Aston Villa have had the lowest point total while remaining at 35 points last season. The most points, but still resulting in relegation, came in 2015/16 when Newcastle dropped 37 points.
Sheffield United need a miracle to stay awake, there’s no denying it, but in a season of remarkably unexpected results anything could happen yet.
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