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Sheffield United vs Everton: 26/12/2020 – match preview and predicted starting XIs

Sheffield United vs Everton

Date: 26/12/2020

K/O: 20:00

Venue: Bramall Lane

Referee: David Coote

TV: BT Sport

Everton travel to Bramall Lane, looking to make it four wins on the trot for the second time this season, against Sheffield United.

Sheffield United remain the league’s most underperforming side, in terms of expected goals, scoring just under six goals less than their expected total. Last week’s showing against Brighton & Hove Albion defined exactly how their troubles in front of goal have ailed them this season as there were multiple clear cut opportunities squandered even while Chris Wilder’s side were one man down.

The Blades now find themselves dwindling in the abyss on a mere two points. It’s a sorry sight, even for neutral fans, as many revelled in the way Sheffield United were playing with their overlapping centre-backs last season. A match at home to an Everton side looking to make it four wins from four, and maintain their unbeaten league record in December, will not be what Wilder would have wanted.

However, they won’t be hopeless. Strong showings against Manchester United and Brighton consecutively, particularly defensively against the latter, will give Wilder something to work with. They continue to create chances offensively and their 10-man defensive effort for the final 50 minutes of play against Brighton reminded everyone of their impressive form from last season.

Everton will provide a different threat, however. Where Brighton look to counter quickly, the Toffees are very comfortable in working their way towards goal or scoring on the break. After a mid-season lapse, Carlo Ancelotti’s side have regained form impressively. To be able to pick themselves out of a slump shows character and a cohesive unit exists at Everton.

There are only a few absentees to worry Ancelotti. Although, their replacements have come in and performed admirably.

Captain Gylfi Sigurðsson has come into the starting side and has regained some form. Previously left to feature as a ‘super-sub’, with James Rodriguez in favour, the Icelandic international has now accumulated the fourth-highest expected goals plus assist per 90 minutes at Everton. This may not be enough to feature permanently upon the return of Rodriguez, but he has been influential in the club’s return to form – especially his work from set-pieces.

An ever-present in the side, Dominic Calvert-Lewin continues to stake his claim as one of England’s best number nine’s – of which there are many at the moment. His non-penalty expected goals tally (i.e. expected goals not including penalties) is the second-highest in the league, behind promotion surprise Patrick Bamford.

An understanding has also been formed with Brazilian international Richarlison. The pair had previously struggled to work together to best complement each other when Ancelotti persisted with both players last season. Richarlison’s ability to drift inside and playoff – and around – Calvert-Lewin has been one of the key factors to Everton being able to consistently best their opponents this season.

The aforementioned trio of Everton players will need to be at their cohesive best to dismantle a Sheffield United defence that boasted five centre-backs against Brighton. As a result of injuries and poor form, Wilder has been forced to rotate through defenders to find the five that best suit his system. The five that played last week performed admirably and should retain their starting positions again.

With an underperforming attack, Sheffield United will look to hold out defensively, relying on some old-fashioned, centre-back play, in the hope that they attain some well-deserved luck in front of goal.

Team News

Sheffield United

John Lunstram’s straight red card against Brighton means the midfielder is set to miss three straight games and this will be the first of them. Lys Mousset seems like the only currently injured Blades player in the running for a return to the starting team. It is likely that he will only be fit to be used as an impact substitute. Jack O’Connell, Oliver McBurnie and Sander Berge remain unavailable.

Everton

The absentees for Everton are few, but significant, as previously mentioned. Lucas Digne, Allan and Rodriguez will not be available again. However, the latter could start to feature again once the new year is upon us.

Predicted Starting XIs

Sheffield United (5-3-2): Ramsdale; Baldock, Basham, Egan, Robinson, Stevens; Burke, Ampadu, Fleck; Bogle, McGoldrick

Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Holgate, Mina, Keane, Godfrey; Doucouré, Davies; Iwobi, Sigurðsson, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin

Score Prediction: Sheffield United 1–3 Everton

Everton haven’t been big scorers recently, with their six goals in the previous five games only two more than this week’s opponents. Sheffield United’s luck will have to turn at some point and Everton’s historically mistake-prone defence may be able to facilitate this.

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