*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Okay, who had Steve Bruce to be the first person to question whether or not it’s responsible for football to continue in the current climate?
While that’s a point well worth discussing and he’s absolutely right to bring awareness to it, it also would benefit Steve Bruce greatly if people stopped focusing on football for a bit.
The scoreless draw with Liverpool may have pacified Newcastle fans for a small spell, but the problem for Bruce was that he’s been handed a tie against basement side Sheffield United where, if they lose, he’ll have a hard time convincing the faithful – and Mike Ashley – they’re little more than dressed-up cannon fodder.
Tuesday, 6pm: Sheffield United v Newcastle United
Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
It’s not as if Newcastle are in direct danger of relegation – and that’s not due to patchy form league-wide – their 19 points from 16 games would be enough to get them past the 40-point mark regardless. But this has more to do with the expectations coming into the season, as the Toon seemingly recruited well.
Have we a rare case that if either side lose this game, their manager will be out the door? It’s entirely possible and while that’s hardly a positive, it does add spice.
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Newcastle to Win
You won’t get too many better prices in the league this year, at least in theory. Newcastle, a side who have won five games – including trips to West Ham and Crystal Palace while keeping clean sheets – travel to Sheffield to take on a Blades unit that have scored in just two of their seven home games in the league this year.
And while Sheffield United clearly need to win this game, I can’t remember a side so resigned to their fate in recent memory. Whether that’s down to indifference among the squad to Chris Wilder or it’s the knowledge that they haven’t got another level – that their good form last year was down to the perfected concept of three at the back – I don’t know.
But the joy of being a big club like Newcastle is that there’s just too much pressure not to perform, especially in games where you know you can actually beat the opposition if you just to play to a reasonable level.
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Callum Wilson to Score Anytime
This thought process is tri-pronged. It begins with the fact that Wilson is both the most natural finisher in this game, as well as handling penalty duties. It also factors in the idea that Sheffield United’s three at the back means strikers with clever movement can get in between zones and create space for themselves, moreso than when there’s two at the back and he’s being man-marked.
Wilson thrives in these pockets and is up against a side in Sheffield United that has shipped goals to Seb Haller, Patrick Bamford, Raul Jimenez and Anthony Martial from central positions. He’s a slight doubt with an injury, but Steve Bruce will start him if he’s fit.
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Over 2.5 Goals
This is merely a price play – you don’t often get 7/5 about a game to have over two goals in it, even if there’s not been more than two goals in any of these sides’ last eight matches combined. Relying on defensive solidarity when you’re struggling is understandable, but given both of these clubs know three points here is paramount, don’t be surprised to see that trend reverse here.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Sheffield United v Newcastle bet summary – Tuesday, January 12
Newcastle to Win
Callum Wilson to Score Anytime
Over 2.5 Goals
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