bournemouth1819@ZAPunter takes a look at the English Premier League match between Bournemouth and Sheffield United which takes place on Saturday 10th August.

 

 

 

 

Bournemouth vs Sheffield United, Saturday @ 16:00

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

Bournemouth host Sheffield United at the Vitality Stadium, with Bournemouth looking to improve on their 14th place finish in the 2018/2019 season. Sheffield United return to the Premier League after a 12-year absence, which saw the Blades struggle in the lower tiers of English football and going nowhere slowly. In 2016 Sheffield United fan Chris Wilder took over the reins of the club and everything changed. The Blades played an exciting brand of football which got them promotion to the championship and 2 seasons later they are in the Premier League. Sheffield United on expected goals was the 2nd best team in the championship and there is a great attitude within the squad, they won’t give teams anything and should battle in every game. Bournemouth had a below par season in the views of many people, scoring was never a problem as they netted 56 goals, which is the most for a team outside of the top 6. Defensively is where they struggled, conceding the 3rd most goals in the league. Expected goals listed the Cherries in the top 10 last season, so we should see an improvement. Eddie Howe prides himself in playing attacking football and it’s never dull watching the boys from the south play.

 

NEW SIGNINGS:

 

Sheffield United brought in players that has played in England for most of their careers and will understand the pressures of the Premier League. Most notable signings are Oliver McBurnie who was the clubs record signing from Swansea City for around 19mil, Lys Mousset from Bournemouth who would like to prove himself against his former club this weekend and finally Sheffield local lad Phil Jagielka return home for a final swansong.

Bournemouth recruited more defensively by signing high rated defender Lloyd Kelly from Bristol City, defensive midfielder Philip Billing from Huddersfield Town and fullback Jack Stacey from Luton. Liverpool starlet Harry Wilson also joined for a season long loan.

 

TEAM NEWS, PROBABLE LINE-UPS AND FORMATION:

 

Bournemouth: 4-4-1-1

Travers,

Stacey, Cook, Ake, Daniels,

Wilson, Billing, Lerma, Fraser,

King,

Wilson

 

Sheffield United: 3-4-1-2

Henderson,

Basham, Egan, O’Connell,

Baldock, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens,

Freeman,

Sharp, McBurnie

 

*Bournemouth will come into this match with at least 6 first team absentees: Brooks, Gosling, Cook, Francis, Stanislas and Kelly.

*Sheffield United has no injury problems for Saturday.

 

PREDICTION:

 

Goals? Definitely. I expect a very open match and both teams finding the net. Expected goals gives the Cherries a small edge over the blades, but I’m more interested in the goals market. Bournemouth’s defensive problems won’t be solved immediately and Sheffield United’s solid Championship defence will face a must harder challenge on Saturday. I expect both teams going for the win here and it will lead to a very entertaining game.

 

BET: Over 2.5 Goals – 1.86 @ BetOlimp

 

Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change

 

@ZAPunter