EPL Match Preview: 11/12 July – Sheffield United vs. Chelsea & Tottenham vs. Arsenal

The Premier League has been back in full swing for a few weeks now, and although the first couple of games seemed a bit rusty, we are now getting the glut of goals, cards, and crunching tackles that the EPL is famous for. With games coming thick and fast, there's never been a more exciting time for Premier League betting.

Although Liverpool has already claimed the title, that doesn’t mean the EPL is any less exciting. The battle for the top four is heating up and just a few points separate the teams vying for the Champions League spots. It looks as though they will be decided closer to the end of the season than anyone anticipated before the COVID-19 induced break!

This weekend we have two power-packed matches that could have a massive impact on the congested spots battling it out in the top four race.

Tottenham vs. Arsenal

Tottenham host bitter rivals Arsenal at their new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 12 July, in what is set to be a close game between two teams that sit alongside each other in the league table. Both teams are fighting to get into the Champions League spots and need a win to keep fourth place within touching distance. 

Most will be asking whether Jose Mourinho can get the best out of Harry Kane going forward or whether the responsibility will once again fall to Son Heung-min to carry the team. The Gunners had a poor restart to the season, but have recovered slightly. It’s going to be interesting to see whether Mikel Arteta sticks with starting the accident-prone David Luiz and if star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can add to his already impressive tally for the season.

Here’s more information for sports betting fans looking for in-depth knowledge of what to expect:

Tottenham vs. Arsenal latest odds

Odds: 

Tottenham +145

Tie +260

Arsenal +175

In the last game between the two sides, the Gunners hosted Spurs at the Emirates on September 1, 2019, and the game ended in a deserved 2-2 draw. However, neither current managers were in charge, with Unai Emery and Mauricio Pochenttino still at the helm for Arsenal and Tottenham respectively.

However, given their home advantage and the Gunner’s propensity to implode at times, most sportsbook casinos have given Tottenham slightly better odds of winning. The Gunner’s recent win over Wolves, however, will give them lots of confidence going forward.

Previous five results between the two

The last five games between these two clubs have been a fairly even affair with two draws, Arsenal winning one and Tottenham winning two.

Restart form

Tottenham drew in their first game against Manchester United in what seemed to signal good things going forward. While they have been frustrated at times, Spurs came out of the restart of the Premier League relatively strong, but slipped up against Sheffield United.

Arsenal, on the other hand, had a nightmare restart with David Luiz largely responsible for their 3-0 demolition at the hands of Manchester City. They then went on to lose to Brighton and things looked dire for Arteta’s team. However, they’ve seen an upturn in results since then, hammering the Canaries 4-0. They are also through to the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley after dispatching Sheffield United 2 goals to 1, and a win against a very strong Wolves  side and an unfortunate draw to Leicester gives them much-needed confidence going into the weekend.

Tottenham restart results:

Arsenal Restart Results:

Key players

These are the key players to keep an eye on:

Tottenham

Tottenham has a plethora of talent in attack, but Mourinho hasn’t been able to get the best out of Harry Kane since his return from injury. Although he is still their top scorer with 13 goals, he will need to be more involved to have a truly stellar season. On the other hand, Son Heung-Min has been in blistering form this season and now has 9 goals to his name; he is also the Spur’s top assist player with 8 assists. Dele Alli is also one to keep an eye out for, with 8 goals and 4 assists. Serge Aurier has 5 assists from midfield and he could play a key role in Tottenham’s midfield battle.

Arsenal

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is undoubtedly the golden egg for Arteta’s team right now and where Arsenal has struggled in defense, he has always helped out by being consistently lethal in front of goals. When Aubameyang stops scoring or has an injury, is when the Gunners should really start to worry. With 20 goals, he far surpasses Alexandre Lacazette on 8 goals and Nicolas Pépé on 5. When it comes to assists, Pépé leads with 6, followed by Bukayo Saka on 5, and Lacazette on 3.

The main concern for Arsenal seems to be their fragility at the back with David Luiz proving time and again that he isn’t the player that he was for Chelsea. This is a game that is likely to be decided by poor defense, rather than purely outstanding attack.

Conclusion

This is going to be an interesting game with two new managers at the helm of big clubs fighting for a place in the Champions League. According to Premier League betting odds, a home win for Tottenham or a tie is most likely, given Arsenal’s track record and the mental fragility of Mourinho’s team at the moment. Arsenal, however, seem to be on a good run of form and could potentially cause an upset and take all three points from Spurs. It’s certainly going to be a game worth watching.

Sheffield United vs. Chelsea

Odds:

Sheffield United +500

Tie +290

Chelsea -167

Who would have thought that after being taken to task by Manchester United 4 goals to nil on the first day of Frank Lampard’s managerial reign, that Chelsea would be in the much coveted fourth spot? They aren’t sitting there comfortably, however, with Manchester United and Wolves hot on their heels.

Sheffield United started the season strong and looked assured to have a top four place. If any one team has really struggled after the COVID-19 break, however, it’s Chris Wilder’s.

The Blades welcome the Blues to Bramall Lane on Saturday 11 July in a game that is hugely important for both teams. Chelsea need to win all their remaining fixtures if they have any hope of staying in the Champions League spots and it’s going to be interesting to see if Lampard can get his young team to provide the consistency they’ve been missing all season. A win against Manchester City in the FA Cup and then a loss to West Ham United sums up how unpredictable their season has been.

Sheffield will desperately be fighting to regain the form they had at the beginning of the season as they chase their first ever Champions League inclusion, which seemed to be happening with their much needed win against Tottenham. However, a draw against Burnley certainly has put a damper on their spirits. There’s a lot riding on this match for both teams.

Sheffield United vs. Chelsea latest odds

Before the Blades pummeled Tottenham 3-1 on July 2nd, the odds were very much in Chelsea’s favor. That win could have given Sheffield the much-needed confidence that they will need going into this match, but a dull draw with Burnley may have dampened their hopes. As it stands, most online sports betting sites are still backing the Blues to end the game triumphant, but you can never underestimate the home advantage, even without the fans.

Previous three results between the two

Sheffield United has been in and out of the Premier League for decades and this has undoubtedly been their best season in recent memory. Chelsea has won two of their previous three matches, with the most recent match ending in a draw.

Restart form

Sheffield United were on a relatively strong streak before the COVID-19 induced break and it was looking increasingly likely that Chris Wilder’s team would be claiming a much-coveted Champions League spot. However, they have not enjoyed much success after the restart, with the Blades struggling with a leaky defence and a lack of confidence. They will take heart from beating Tottenham on July 2nd, however, and Wilder hoped this was the start of a resurgence going forward — but the Blades could only draw to Burnley over the weekend.

Chelsea have sprinted out of the blocks after the restart and their loss to West Ham is their only slip-up so far. Frank Lampard has got young, talented players at his disposal and it looks like this could make all the difference. If they can find the level of consistency that has been lacking, then they will almost certainly hold on to their Champions League spot.

Sheffield results:

Chelsea results:

Key players

These are the key players to keep an eye on:

Sheffield United

Before the break, Sheffield United’s defense was having a grand time. In fact, young goalkeeper, Dean Henderson (on loan from Manchester United) had the most clean sheets in the Premier League in January. Chris Basham is the Blades’ top tackler and he is an important player at the back that deputizes in front of Henderson.

When it comes to goal threat, Lys Mousset leads the way with 6 goals to his name, followed closely by John Fleck and Oliver McBurnie. These are the three front men to keep an eye on. Lys Mousset also has the most assists in the team with 4, followed by George Baldock and John Lundstrom with 3 a piece.

Chelsea

Chelsea has a few key players to keep an eye on and their young team is only going to get better. The American Christain Pulisic has been particularly potent since his arrival and his speed and goal scoring abilities have given Chelsea a much needed boost in midfield. Tammy Abraham doesn’t always start, but with 13 goals to his name, he is their top scorer. Willian with 9 and Pulisic with 7 follow in goal scoring success. Youngsters Callum Hudson-Odoi and Mason Mount have also been particularly impressive for the Blues with regular assists. Add N’golo Kanté in the mix and you can see why Chelsea have been racking up some impressive results.

Conclusion

As already mentioned, this is a game that both teams need to win and it’s going to be a fast, action-packed match with plenty of goal scoring threats on both sides. Although most bookies are backing Frank Lampard’s young Chelsea team to take all three points, it is going to be a hard-fought match, which the Blades will throw everything at. 

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