- Manchester United is a -1.5-goal favorite against Sheffield United.
- The Red Devils earned a 2-1 road win against Sheffield in the last meeting.
- Why the market is overvaluing Manchester United as home favorites.
Following their FA Cup semifinal win against Coventry City on Sunday, Manchester United return home to face Premier League cellar-dwellers Sheffield United.Â
The Red Devils needed penalty kicks to reach the FA Cup final after blowing a 3-0 advantage late in the second half.Â
As for Sheffield United, they struggled at home against relegation-threatened Burnley. As short home dogs, they fell 4-1 to the Clarets.Â
Here’s a look at the EPL odds and my prediction for Wednesday’s match.Â
EPL Betting Odds – Manchester United vs. Sheffield United
- Manchester United Moneyline: -350
- Sheffield United Moneyline: +750
- Draw Moneyline: +500
- Over/Under: 3.5 Goals (-120/-120)
EPL Prediction – Manchester United vs. Sheffield United
Sheffield United Spread (+1.5, +100)
If bettors learned anything from United’s FA Cup semifinal on Sunday, it’s that the backdoor is always open.Â
Up 3-0 on Championship side Coventry City, United surrendered three goals in the final 20 minutes + injury time to send the match to extra time.Â
United also ran fairly lucky in that match as they lost the post-shot expected goals battle 1.55 to 2.23, per fotmob.com.Â
Now they have to turn around and play on short rest. Although the odds suggest they’ll win the match outright, I question if they cover a lofty spread.Â
Sample nine matches this season in which United closed at -145 or higher and bettors will find they’re 6-3 SU, but have seen five of those wins come by a single goal.Â
Since the beginning of last season, they’re 16-7 SU at -145 or higher but have covered -1.5 in only seven of those 23 matches.Â
It’s also not as if they dominated Sheffield United when they last played. United won the match 2-1 but only captured the non-penalty expected goals battle 1.1 to 0.63.Â
Plus, there’s a historically profitable system recommending a bet on Sheffield United.Â
Since 2012-13, road dogs with a win percentage under 30% are 63.7% ATS, assuming three factors:
- The spread is between +1.5 and +2.5
- The previous head-to-head result was between -1 and -5
- The team’s game number is between 17 and 38
Just this season, those teams are 14-2-1 ATS.Â
One final note with a slight caveat – history suggests Sheffield are worth a flier on the moneyline.Â
Since 2012-13, road dogs between +355 and +2000 with a win percentage under 28% are 18.9% SU for a 45% return on investment, assuming two factors:
- The previous head-to-head result was between -1 and +1
- The team’s game number is between 18 and 38
However, I’m obliged to mention three teams have fit that profile after allowing two or more goals in seven straight games, a moniker that fits Sheffield.Â
Those teams are 0-3 SU in such spots.Â
As a result, I’d prefer to take a moneyline position on Burnley at Old Trafford on Saturday.Â
That said, even money on Sheffield to stay within a goal is worth a wager on Wednesday.Â
Manchester United FormÂ
April 21 vs. Coventry City: 3-3, D (FA Cup, United Win on PK’s)
April 13 at Bournemouth: 2-2, D
April 7 vs. Liverpool: 2-2, D
April 4 at Chelsea: 3-4, L
March 30 at Brentford: 1-1, D
Sheffield United Form
April 20 vs. Burnley: 1-4, L
April 13 vs. Brentford: 0-2, L
April 7 vs. Chelsea: 2-2, D
April 4 at Liverpool: 1-3, L
March 30 vs. Fulham: 3-3, D
Upcoming EPL Match Schedule
Home | Away | Date | Time (ET) | Location |
Arsenal | Bournemouth | May. 4 | 7:30 AM | Emirates Stadium |
Brentford | Fulham | May. 4 | 10:00 AM | Gtech Community Stadium |
Burnley | Newcastle United | May. 4 | 10:00 AM | Turf Moor |
Sheffield United | Nottingham Forest | May. 4 | 10:00 AM | Bramall Lane |
Manchester City | Wolves | May. 4 | 12:30 PM | Etihad Stadium |
Brighton & Hove Albion | Aston Villa | May. 5 | 9:00 AM | Amex Stadium |
Chelsea | West Ham United | May. 5 | 9:00 AM | Stamford Bridge |
Liverpool | Tottenham | May. 5 | 11:30 AM | Anfield |
Crystal Palace | Manchester United | May. 6 | 3:00 PM | Selhurst Park |
EPL Standings
Team | Record (Wins-Draws-Losses) | Points | Goal Differential | Notes |
Arsenal FC | 25-5-5 | 80 | 57 | --- |
Manchester City | 24-7-3 | 79 | 50 | --- |
Liverpool FC | 22-9-4 | 75 | 41 | --- |
Aston Villa FC | 20-7-8 | 67 | 21 | --- |
Tottenham Hotspur | 18-6-10 | 60 | 13 | --- |
Manchester United | 16-6-12 | 54 | 1 | --- |
Newcastle United | 16-5-13 | 53 | 19 | --- |
Chelsea FC | 14-9-11 | 51 | 5 | --- |
West Ham United | 13-10-12 | 49 | -9 | --- |
Bournemouth | 13-9-13 | 48 | -8 | --- |
Brighton & Hove Albion | 11-11-12 | 44 | -59 | --- |
Wolves | 13-7-15 | 46 | -7 | --- |
Fulham FC | 12-7-16 | 43 | -4 | --- |
Crystal Palace | 10-10-15 | 40 | -12 | --- |
Everton | 12-9-15 | 37 | -10 | 8 Point Deduction |
Brentford | 9-8-18 | 35 | -8 | --- |
Nottingham Forest | 7-9-19 | 26 | -20 | 4 Point Deduction |
Luton Town | 6-8-22 | 26 | -29 | --- |
Burnley FC | 5-9-21 | 24 | -32 | --- |
Sheffield United | 3-7-25 | 16 | -63 | --- |
EPL ATS Records
Team | ATS Record | ATS Win Pct. | Home ATS Record | Home ATS Win Pct. | Road ATS Record | Road ATS Win Pct. |
Arsenal | 21-13-1 | .614 | 9-7-1 | .559 | 12-6 | .667 |
Aston Villa | 18-16-1 | .529 | 11-7 | .611 | 7-9-1 | .441 |
Bournemouth | 19-14-2 | .571 | 9-7-2 | .556 | 10-7 | .588 |
Brentford | 13-20-2 | .400 | 6-10-1 | .382 | 7-10-1 | .417 |
Brighton & Hove Albion | 13-19-2 | .412 | 7-8-1 | .469 | 6-11-1 | .361 |
Burnley | 17-18 | .486 | 5-12 | .294 | 12-6 | .667 |
Chelsea | 16-18 | .471 | 9-8 | .529 | 7-10 | .412 |
Crystal Palace | 18-17 | .514 | 8-9 | .471 | 10-8 | .556 |
Everton | 17-19 | .472 | 10-8 | .556 | 7-11 | .389 |
Fulham | 17-17-1 | .500 | 10-7-1 | .583 | 7-10 | .412 |
Liverpool | 17-18 | .486 | 9-8 | .529 | 8-10 | .444 |
Luton Town | 22-13-1 | .625 | 13-5 | .722 | 9-8-1 | .528 |
Manchester City | 16-18 | .471 | 7-10 | .412 | 9-8 | .529 |
Manchester United | 15-19 | .441 | 7-10 | .412 | 8-9 | .471 |
Newcastle United | 17-17 | .500 | 12-6 | .667 | 5-11 | .313 |
Nottingham Forest | 14-19-2 | .429 | 5-12-1 | .306 | 9-7-1 | .559 |
Sheffield United | 18-17 | .514 | 9-8 | .529 | 9-9 | .500 |
Tottenham Hotspur | 18-16 | .529 | 9-8 | .529 | 9-8 | .529 |
West Ham United | 18-17 | .514 | 11-7 | .611 | 7-10 | .412 |
Wolverhampton Wanderers | 18-17 | .514 | 9-9 | .500 | 9-8 | .529 |