Sheffield United vs Tottenham: Preview and Prediction

Tottenham’s players have plenty to show their manager and Ange Postecoglou will want a great end to the season as they take on Sheffield United.

Chris Wilder will reflect on his tenure at Sheffield United as the Blades prepare for another season in the EFL Championship, albeit after facing Tottenham on Sunday. The home side clearly couldn’t handle a relegation battle and succumbed to the pressure quite easily. But they produced some impressive displays during the campaign.

Sheffield United have set an unwanted goals conceded record as they have conceded over 101 times this season, breaking Swindon Town’s long-standing but unwanted record of 100 conceded in the 1993/94 campaign.

Overall, the Blades have been poor and have one last chance to give their supporters some joy in the final game of the Premier League season. Sheffield United host Tottenham, who will go into this clash as favourites, but there have been many surprises on the final day of many a campaign.

Ange Postecoglou was not in a good mood after Tottenham’s home loss to Manchester City in midweek. There was plenty of controversy surrounding the clash as Spurs fans clearly wanted their team to lose in an effort to not give away rivals Arsenal’s momentum in the Premier League title race.

Postecoglou was furious after the game and insisted the foundations inside and outside the club were fragile. In fact, the players owe him a good response with a win on the final day as a win against Manchester City kept Spurs in the hunt for the top four ahead of the first game of the season.

In any case, they are fifth and will surely qualify for the UEFA Europa League. But they may still need a point to consolidate their fifth place. A defeat here in Sheffield, and if Chelsea manage to win their last game, then Spurs will drop to sixth, something Popstecoglou will be keen to avoid at all costs.

Team news and tactics

Sheffield United

Sheffield United have suffered many injuries during the season and some could point to this as a major reason for their eventual downfall. On the plus side, Chris Wilder will have Mason Holgate and Anel Ahmedhodzic available for the Tottenham match.

The former was ineligible to play against parent club Everton, while the latter was suspended. A lot of players are either still out or have serious doubts. David Brooks and Oliver Arblaster are expected to recover from the problems that ruled them out against the Toffees, while at least four others are to be assessed ahead of the final game.

However, confirmed absentees include Chris Basham, Oliver McBurnie, Rhys Norrington-Davies and Max Lowe, with John Egan out of contract following this clash.

Likely formation (3-5-2): Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic, Trusty, Robinson; Bogle, Hamer, Souza, Brooks, Larouci; Brereton Diaz, Archer

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham may not have many squad changes from their midweek defeat to Manchester City, with Ange Postecoglou expected to have most of his players fit and available for this one. Only Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Manor Solomon, Fraser Forster and Destiny Udogie are out of the competition.

Ryan Sessegnon, Ben Davies and Timo Werner are also in the same boat, while Giovani Lo Celso is the only doubt after the clash with Manchester City which involved a knock on his knee.

Postecoglou could keep the same formation in the back, meaning Micky van de Ven could start at left-back again, with Radu Drăgușin taking his place in the center of defence. Meanwhile, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr will continue in central midfield.

Dejan Kulusevski could replace Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to fill a place on the right side of the attack. Brennan Johnson will move to the left, with James Maddison and Son Heung-min completing the attacking formation.

Likely formation (4-2-3-1): Vicar; Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Van de Ven; Sarr, Bentancur; Kulusevski, Maddison, Johnson, Son

Key statistics

• Sheffield United have lost their last six Premier League games.
• Sheffield United have now conceded a record 101 goals in a Premier League season.
• Tottenham have lost five of their last six Premier League games.
• Tottenham have conceded at least two goals in five of their last six Premier League games.

Player to watch

Heung-min’s son

Embed from Getty Images

The South Korea international was in the news following Tottenham’s defeat in midweek after missing a glorious chance late in the match to equalise. The goal could have given Spurs a possible point and Arsenal a boost in the title race.

The focus is once again on Son, and he must seal and deliver that fifth place for his side with a commanding performance against bottom-placed Sheffield United. A good performance will greatly impress Postecoglou after the manager’s mood since that defeat to Manchester City.

foresight

Sheffield United 1-4 Tottenham Hotspur

Sheffield United will probably play another game with the handbrake off. But so far, their efforts to end the season on a positive note have failed to yield anything good. Meanwhile, it’s a matter of pride for Chris Wilder and his men to provide some cheer on the final day of the season, as fans would dream of it coming at Tottenham’s expense.

Spurs are fired up ahead of this clash following their manager’s comments about the need to win. Therefore, the north Londoners, like many other teams at Bramall Lane, could find their goal touch and put Sheffield United to the sword with a crushing victory over the relegated side.