How Have Sheffield United Been Able to Upset the Odds?
Upon gaining promotion to the Premier League following their second-placed finish in the Championship last season, Chris Wilder’s side has continued to surpass expectations in England’s top-flight. Prior to the suspension of the league, Sheffield United were sat in seventh position, five points away from fourth-placed Chelsea with a game in hand. So, how have the blades been able to do this?
Taking the League by Storm
Since the turn of the new year, the Blades have lost just two matches in all competitions, suffering defeats against Liverpool, the runaway leaders, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United. Fundamentally, Sheffield United’s home form has been instrumental in emphatically upsetting pre-season expectations, where they were tipped by many to be relegated. Regardless of the opponent, Wilder sets his team out in the same expansive manner in seeking to cause those that visit Bramall Lane problems.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Blades’ tactical shape is the revolutionary style that their 52-year-old manager has implemented in relation to the central defenders. While, in the modern game, ball-playing qualities are widely sought after in a centre-half, the South Yorkshire-based system allows the likes of Chris Basham and Jack O’Connell, who typically play on either side of a back three, to showcase their offensive abilities.
In possession, this allows the two wing-backs, generally Enda Stevens and George Baldock, to occupy central positions and overload the midfield area. Crucially, this works because Wilder’s tactical approach is based on the intelligence of his squad, knowing when to push forward into the half-spaces and when to instead sit back.
Sensible Recruitment Has Resulted in European Ambitions
Before the Premier League was suspended, the fact that Sheffield United were among the favorites with football betting to qualify for European competition next season is a testament to their well-thought-out player recruitment. It's clear for all to see that sensible spending which doesn’t negatively affect the club’s long-term future is at the very core of their approach when it comes to investing in their playing staff. Oliver McBurnie and Sander Berge are both prime examples of this, as they showcase Wilder’s youthful approach to Premier League recruitment.
Crucially, such well-thought-out transfers have filled the Bramall Lane faithful with optimism for their future in the Premier League and, potentially, Europe. As suggested above, the Blades could move within two points of a Champions League spot if they are to win the extra fixture that they have over Frank Lampard’s Chelsea.
At the time of writing, there is little certainty surrounding when the Premier League is likely to continue. That said, the suspension is allowing every club in the division the time to get their playing squads back to a fit and healthy state. Importantly, this is most likely to indirectly benefit the Blades and Wolves, who, on paper, have the thinnest squads of those chasing a European finish. In turn, at the resumption of the season, Sheffield United will be ready to compete once again at a high level, and, unlike those around them, don’t have pre-existing European responsibilities to focus their attentions on.
A Prime Example of Staying True to Roots and Achieving Success
While the wait to see just how high up the league Sheffield United can finish, the Blades are well-placed to continue surpassing expectations. Despite currently sitting in a Europa League spot, the sky is the limit for Chris Wilder’s side, who will have one eye on a top-four finish in their remaining ten matches. Moreover, the Blades’ long-term Premier League future looks bright, with the club demonstrating their abilities to continually upset the odds.
Top 20 Betting Offers
|
Full T&Cs apply. New UK customers only. The qualifying bet should be either a single or multiple bet, start at £10, and have 1.9 or greater odds. 5 Free bets include: 1 x £10 Free bet on horse racing, 1 x £10 Free bet on football, 2 x 10 Free bet in-play, 1 x £10 Free bet Acca. Max payout – £500. 7 day expiry. 18+ only. BeGambleAware.org. |
|||||
|
New customers only. Register (excl. 13/04/24) with WELCOME50. First bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get Free Bets: £20 In-Play, £20 Acca & 50 x £0.20 (£10) Free Spins on Fishin’ Frenzy within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £40 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #ad |
|||||
|
Min Deposit: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00+ (2/1). If first bet loses free bets will be credited after bet settled. 100 Free Spins on Gold Blitz credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. 18+. BeGambleAware.org. Bet The Responsible Way. Full terms apply |
|||||
|
£10 min deposit. First bet mins odds 1.5 placed within 14 days of sign-up. 2 x £10 in Free Bets: valid for 7 days, free bet stakes not returned. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org. 18+ T&Cs apply.
|
|||||
|
18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet via mobile up to £40 (min. £20) on any football market at odds of 2.00+, in 7 days. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. Card payments & Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly. |
|||||
|
New bettors; Code PLAY10; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, payment method exclusions apply;T&C apply; 18+ |
|||||
|
18+. New Customers Only. Max one £10 Free Bet. Qualifying bets at Odds of 1/1 or greater. Paid as Bonus Token Min 4/5 Odds Req. Skrill, Neteller, Paypal not eligible. T&Cs Apply |
|||||
|
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required |
|||||
|
*New members. £10 min bet on sportsbook (ex. virtual) 1.5 min odds, settled in 14 days of sign-up. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook (ex. virtual). Stake not returned. Full Terms apply. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org. 18+ |
|||||
|
New customers place a £10 fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1/2. Get 2 x £10 free fixed odds bets. 18+ begambleaware |
|||||
|
18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Min first 5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 1 x 20 free bet. Stake not returned. Free bets expire in 7 days. Full T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £5 free bets. Stake not returned. Restrictions + Free bet T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
18+. BeGambleAware.org. New accounts only. Min. £10 deposit, debit card only. Up to 50x wagering, game contributions vary, max. stake applies, 7 day expiry. See full terms. #AD
|
|||||
|
18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 at odds 2.00+ within 7 days, no cashout. Get 6x £5 Free Bets, set events at odds 2.00+. 7 day bonus expiry. Debit Card / Apple Pay payments only. Click for T&Cs. Please Gamble Responsibly. |
|||||
|
Place a bet of £10 at min odds of 1.5 and get £10 upon settlement. Further £10 Multiple token will be credited after 24 hours and a further £5 Horse Racing Multiple token and a £5 Football Bet Builder token will be credited after 48 hours. Full T&Cs apply.18+. BeGambleAware.org. |
|||||
|
Promo Code: NEWWELCOME60. For NEW UK customers only, deposit using UK debit card, and certain qualifying bets of Evens or greater. Terms apply 18+ |
|||||
|
New Customers, deposit and place a qualifying bet with bet builder, min stake £5, min odds 3/1 (4.0). Receive a £10 free bet, valid for 7 days. Full Terms apply, 18+ begambleaware. |
|||||
|
T&Cs apply. 18+ New customers only. You must place 3 x £10 sportsbook bets to qualify. Money back as free bets up to £25. Must use code welcome25afs when creating an account. |
|||||
|
New Customers only. Deposit and bet on any Sportsbook Markets with min odds of 2.0. Get 50% Back of your first days' losses as a Free bet up to £50+£20 Casino Bonus. |
