Arsenal vs Sheffield United
Time – India: 06:30 PM; UK: 02:00 PM (Sunday)
Venue – The Emirates Stadium
Referee – Lee Mason
Arsenal beat Liverpool on Thursday night on penalties to progress to the quarter-finals of the League Cup. But their last league outing was a 3-1 defeat at Anfield.
Barring the defeat on Merseyside, the Gunners have made a solid start to their Premier League campaign after finishing eighth last season. They comfortably beat Fulham on the opening day and while they had to work hard against West Ham home, they still bagged the three points through a late goal.
On the other hand, Sheffield United’s fairytale run in the Premier League last season seems to be in the distant past. Chris Wilder’s side have made a terrible start to the new campaign and have lost their opening three league games.
They will be arriving in north London low on confidence but with the belief that a good result at the Emirates could kick start their campaign.
Arsenal vs Sheffield United: Head-to-Head
Total matches (in all competitions): 116
Arsenal wins: 49
Sheffield United wins: 40
Draws: 27
Arsenal have a superior record against Sheffield United since their first meeting in an FA Cup in 1903. They have won 49 of these games, compared to Sheffield United’s 40 but the Blades dominated their two league outings last season.
Sheffield United beat Arsenal at Bramall Lane last season and were desperately unlucky not to get all three points in a 1-1 draw at the Emirates in January.
However, Arsenal did beat the Blades when the two sides met in the FA Cup in June and the Gunners went on to lift the trophy at the end of last season.
Arsenal vs Sheffield United: Recent form
Arsenal (in all competitions): W-L-W-W-W
Sheffield United (in all competitions): L-L-L-L-L
Arsenal are in good form coming into the game on Sunday. Barring the defeat at Liverpool, the Gunners have been on a winning streak and have won four of their last five outings in all competitions.
Sheffield United are in desperate need of a win. They are on a losing streak of six games since the end of last season and have lost their first three Premier League games at the start of their campaign.
Arsenal vs Sheffield United: Team news
Arsenal
The north London club do not have any fresh injury concerns ahead of the game on Sunday and are likely to welcome back a number of their key stars into their team who were rested in the EFL Cup win over Liverpool.
Sokratis (calf) Pablo Mari (ankle), Shkodran Mustafi (hamstring), Emile Smith Rowe (shoulder), Calum Chambers and Gabriel Martinelli (both knee) are all still missing.
Sheffield United
John Egan is available for selection again after he missed Sheffield United’s home defeat to Leeds due to a one-match ban and will slot straight into Chris Wilder’s team.
Jack O’Connell underwent knee surgery last week and will be out for around six months.
Sheffield United did sign Rhian Brewster from Liverpool on Friday but the paperwork was not finalised quickly enough for him to be eligible to play against Arsenal on Sunday.
Arsenal vs Sheffield United: Probable XI
Arsenal possible starting XI: Leno; Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Bellerin, Xhaka, Elneny, Maitland-Niles; Willian, Lacazette, Aubameyang
Sheffield United possible starting XI: Ramsdale; Basham, Egan, Ampadu; Baldock, Lundstram, Berge, Fleck, Stevens; McGoldrick, McBurnie
Arsenal vs Sheffield United: Where to watch
India: Star Sports 2, Star Sports Select HD 2
UK: Sky Sports Main Event
Stream in India: Disney+ Hotstar
Stream in the UK: Sky Go App
Arsenal vs Sheffield United: Prediction
Sheffield United considered themselves unlucky to only get a point at the Emirates last season when they drew 1-1 in January. But Chris Wilder would love to get the same result after watching his side lost their first three league games of the campaign.
On the other hand, Arsenal have started the season strongly and their only defeat has come against the Premier League champions Liverpool.
They have looked more organised under Mikel Arteta and they are the favourites to get another win when they host the Blades on Sunday.
Sheffield United have it in them to make it awkward for the Gunners but given their form at the moment, Arsenal should bag all three points at the Emirates.
Arsenal vs Sheffield United predicted scoreline: 3-1
Also Read: Leeds United vs Manchester City: Preview, team news, predicted XI and more | Premier League 2020-21