- 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 |
Newcastle United | Manchester City | Sep. 28 | 7:30 a.m. | St. James' Park |
Arsenal | Leicester City | Sep. 28 | 10 a.m. | Emirates Stadium |
Brentford | West Ham United | Sep. 28 | 10 a.m. | GTech Community Stadium |
Chelsea | Brighton & Hove Albion | Sep. 28 | 10 a.m. | Stamford Bridge |
Everton | Crystal Palace | Sep. 28 | 10 a.m. | Goodison Park |
Nottingham Forest | Fulham | Sep. 28 | 10 a.m. | The City Ground |
Wolves | Liverpool | Sep. 28 | 12:30 p.m. | Molineux |
Ipswich Town | Aston Villa | Sep. 29 | 9 a.m. | Portman Road |
Manchester United | Tottenham | Sep. 29 | 11:30 a.m. | Old Trafford |
Bournemouth | Southampton | Sep. 30 | 3 p.m. | Vitality Stadium |
EPL Standings
Team | Record (Wins-Draws-Losses) | Points | Goal Differential |
Manchester City | 4-1-0 | 13 | 8 |
Liverpool | 4-0-1 | 12 | 9 |
Aston Villa | 4-0-1 | 12 | 3 |
Arsenal | 3-2-0 | 11 | 5 |
Chelsea | 3-1-1 | 10 | 6 |
Newcastle United | 3-1-1 | 10 | 1 |
Brighton & Hove Albion | 2-3-0 | 9 | 4 |
Nottingham Forest | 2-3-0 | 9 | 2 |
Fulham | 2-2-1 | 8 | 2 |
Tottenham Hotspur | 2-1-2 | 7 | 4 |
Manchester United | 2-1-2 | 7 | 0 |
Brentford | 2-0-3 | 6 | -2 |
Bournemouth | 1-2-2 | 5 | -3 |
West Ham United | 1-1-3 | 4 | -4 |
Leicester City | 0-3-2 | 3 | -2 |
Crystal Palace | 0-3-2 | 3 | -3 |
Ipswich Town | 0-3-2 | 3 | -5 |
Southampton | 0-1-4 | 1 | -7 |
Everton | 0-1-4 | 1 | -9 |
Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0-1-4 | 1 | -9 |
EPL ATS Records
Team | ATS Record | ATS Win Pct. | Home ATS Record | Home ATS Win Pct. | Road ATS Record | Road ATS Win Pct. |
Arsenal | 3-2-0 | .600 | 0-2-0 | .000 | 3-0-0 | 1.000 |
Aston Villa | 4-1-0 | .800 | 2-1-0 | .667 | 2-0-0 | 1.000 |
Bournemouth | 3-2-0 | .600 | 1-1-0 | .500 | 2-1-0 | .667 |
Brentford | 3-2-0 | .600 | 2-0-0 | 1.000 | 1-2-0 | .333 |
Brighton & Hove Albion | 3-2-0 | .600 | 1-2-0 | .333 | 2-0-0 | 1.000 |
Chelsea | 3-2-0 | .600 | 0-2-0 | .000 | 3-0-0 | 1.000 |
Crystal Palace | 2-3-0 | .400 | 1-2-0 | .333 | 1-1-0 | .500 |
Everton | 1-4-0 | .200 | 0-2-0 | .000 | 1-2-0 | .333 |
Fulham | 2-3-0 | .400 | 2-1-0 | .667 | 0-2-0 | .000 |
Ipswich Town | 3-2-0 | .600 | 1-1-0 | .500 | 2-1-0 | .667 |
Leicester City | 2-3-0 | .400 | 1-2-0 | .333 | 1-1-0 | .500 |
Liverpool | 4-1-0 | .800 | 2-1-0 | .667 | 2-0-0 | 1.000 |
Manchester City | 3-2-0 | .600 | 1-2-0 | .333 | 2-0-0 | 1.000 |
Manchester United | 2-3-0 | .400 | 1-1-0 | .500 | 1-2-0 | .333 |
Newcastle United | 2-3-0 | .400 | 1-1-0 | .500 | 1-2-0 | .333 |
Nottingham Forest | 3-2-0 | .600 | 0-2-0 | .000 | 3-0-0 | 1.000 |
Southampton | 1-4-0 | .200 | 0-3-0 | .000 | 1-1-0 | .500 |
Tottenham Hotspur | 2-3-0 | .400 | 2-1-0 | .500 | 0-2-0 | .000 |
West Ham United | 2-3-0 | .400 | 0-3-0 | .000 | 2-0-0 | 1.000 |
Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2-3-0 | .400 | 0-2-0 | .000 | 2-1-0 | .667 |