On Saturday afternoon, relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest takes on already-relegated Sheffield United.
The Blades’ chances of remaining in the Premier League were finally sealed with a 5-1 loss to Newcastle United last weekend. Anel Ahmedhodzic met outstanding service from Gustavo Hamer to give Sheffield United the lead early in the game. And before Alexander Isak gave the Magpies the lead again, Chris Wilder’s team had two or three more excellent scoring chances.
For roughly eighteen minutes in the second half, the Blades’ defense crumbled, as they went from a one-go to a five-one deficit.
While Nottingham Forest lost 2-0 at home to Manchester City, the triple winners from the previous season, they displayed a great deal of quality and a fighting attitude. In terms of shots attempted and even projected goals scored, the Reds fared better than Pep Guardiola’s team; yet, goals from Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland were sufficient for the win.
Burnley is currently only two points behind the Reds, whilst Forest is currently hovering precariously above the relegation zone with only one point separating them and Luton Town.
If Burnley defeated Newcastle, Luton Town defeated Everton on Friday night, and the Blades triumphed, Nuno Espirito Santo’s team would fall to 19th place with two games left in the season.
Team updates
Sheffield Although Oli McBurnie will miss the remainder of the season, United recently found out, according to The Star, the team’s number nine might play in the season’s last match. Last weekend, Jack Robinson made a comeback as a replacement. Since he is still dealing with the effects of his injury from the Manchester United game, James McAtee is doubtful.
Willy Boly, Neco Williams, Murillo, and Nicolas Dominguez may be out for Nottingham Forest in this match. Standout player from the previous season Taiwo Awoniyi missed the most of the campaign due to a thigh problem.
Players to observe
Last Saturday, Cameron Archer ran the Newcastle United defenders all over the field in the first half, and in all honesty, he should have had at least a couple goals before halftime. The game on Saturday will undoubtedly be extended because the opposition likes to play fast. This is when Archer’s explosive pace and mobility may really shine.
Chris Wood could be Nottingham Forest’s biggest threat in this match. The Blades have given up 16 goals this season from set pieces as a result of their poor corner and cross defense over the whole campaign. And Wood is coming off a match against Manchester United in which he ought to have scored two goals.
Wood won the game late on at the City Ground against the Blades with an incredible header. There could be two lightning strikes.
Important statistics
Against Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest hopes to win the league double for the first time since the 2003–04 campaign.
Sheffield United, however, is just three goals away from being one of the elite teams in Premier League history to give up 100 goals in a single season. This puts them dangerously close to reaching an unwelcome milestone. There have only been two previous instances of this dubious feat in Premier League football.
Forest experienced success against Sheffield United earlier in the season, giving them some hope going into this matchup, despite their prior troubles against recently promoted teams (one win in 19 games versus promoted opponents).
This season, Sheffield United’s home defense problems have been more evident as the squad has given up 51 goals in 17 Premier League games. This puts them in one of the most vulnerable positions in the history of the English premier league, only surpassed by Aston Villa’s record of 56 goals given up at home in a single season, which was achieved in 1935–36.