Sheffield United v Crystal Palace: Few spoils but plenty of pride at stake
- Michael Graham
- 5 May 2021
Crystal Palace will be keen to get the win to take them to the magical 40-point mark at Bramall Lane, where Sheffield United are desperate to create any kind of momentum for next season.
When: Saturday, May 8, 15:00 GMT
How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Ultra HD
Best Bets
Crystal Palace head into the match at Bramall Lane knowing just one more win will make another season of Premier League football an absolute certainty.
The Eagles are currently sat in 13th position and appear in little danger of being dragged into a nervy end to the season, but they'll be keen to make sure nonetheless.
For Sheffield United now it is all about pride. The Blades have lost 27 of their 34 matches this season, which amounts to a staggering 80%, and their relegation has already been confirmed.
Last Three Premier League Matches
Crystal Palace 2-0 Sheffield United (January 2, 2021)
One of those 27 defeats this season or Sheffield United was inflicted by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park back in January.
It was a landmark defeat for the Blades too, for all the wrong reasons. They became the first club to go 17 matches at the start of a Premier League season without a win, as well as setting a new club record of 20 successive league games without success.
In truth, they never really looked like they were in the game, either. Jeffrey Schlupp gave Palace a fourth-minute lead before Ebere Eze doubled it on the stroke of half-time.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Sheffield United (February 1, 2020)
Cast your mind back a year and Sheff Utd were on a very different Premier League journey, and they made their presence felt at Selhurst Park with a fine away win.
How you saw that game was probably dependant on who you support. Crystal Palace fans will describe it as a smash-and-grab lucky win, while Sheffield United supporters would call is disciplined and professional.
There was little professional about their winner from a Palace point of view, though, with goalkeeper Vicente Guaita dropping the ball over the line whilst trying to collect a corner.
Sheffield United 1-0 Crystal Palace (August 18, 2019)
While Palace could probably feel aggrieved at Selhurst Park the following February, there was little doubt about the Blades' superiority at Bramall Lane in August 2019.
John Lundstram got the decisive goal just after half-time, but the only real surprise was that Sheffield United didn't win by a greater margin.
In scoring the winner, Lundstrum achieved a personal milestone of scoring in each of England's top four leagues during his career.
Premier League head-to-head
Sheffield United wins: 2
Draws: 0
Crystal Palace wins: 3
Sheffield United goals: 2
Crystal Palace goals: 5
Job almost done for Crystal Palace
It is almost certain that Roy Hodgson's men could not get another point this season and be sure of their Premier League status for next season.
That said, most teams like the psychological boost of getting to that magical 40-point mark, and Palace will be no different there given they are among a group of teams who set it as their target at the beginning of the season.
To do that, they need two points from their remaining five games against Sheffield United, Southampton, Aston Villa, Arsenal, and Liverpool.
There isn't much room for them to climb in the table given Leeds are two places above them with a nine-point cushion, though.
Sheffield United looking ahead
In truth, the game was up a long time ago for Sheffield United. Their 34 matches so fat this season have yielded just 17 points. They need another three to avoid becoming the third worst team in Premier League history.
Much more important than that, though, is trying to generate at least a little momentum to take into what is sure to be a big summer at the club.
Goalscorer bets
Traditionally, Premier League matches between these two sides have not been goal-fests.
This season, Sheffield United have scored just 18 goals, while Palace have averaged barely just one goal per game too.
Christian Benteke has finally found a little goalscoring form for Palace, though, netting three goals in his last nine Premier League matches. He can be backed at 12/5 with Bet365 to continue that run at Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United's last two wins have been courtesy of David McGoldrick goals, and he can be backed at 3/1 to get on the scoresheet again.
