Manchester City (11-4-3) vs. Sheffield United (2-3-14)
Manchester City vs. Sheffield United 12/30/23 – On Saturday in the highly competitive EPL, Manchester City and Sheffield United will face off in an intriguing clash at Etihad Stadium. More than just a game, this encounter promises to be a spectacle of strategy and skill with Manchester City often considered one of the handicapper’s favorite picks, yet anything can happen in soccer; especially with Sheffield United looking for ways to upset odds against them.
Manchester City’s offensive prowess can be seen through their impressive league standing. Players like Bernardo Silva, Julian Alvarez, and Phil Foden have been key contributors. Silva boasts 5 goals and 4 assists while Alvarez contributed 5 goals and 6 assists for City. Finally, Foden added his dynamic touch by scoring 5 goals with 4 assists himself. Sheffield United’s defense will come up against an equally potent attack when taking on City next.
Sheffield United may be in the lower league league but still possess players like Cameron Archer, Oliver McBurnie and Gustavo Hamer that pose a threat. Archer has shown promise despite limited starts. McBurnie has played an instrumental role in Sheffield United’s attack with three goals and an assist. Meanwhile Hamer contributes from midfield with two goals and two assists of his own – but will face tough opposition in Manchester City’s well-organized defense and goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
Manchester City vs. Sheffield United 12/30/23 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, December 30, 2023, at 10:00 AM ET |
| Where: | Etihad Stadium |
| TV: | PEAC |
| Stream: | TBD |
Stefan Ortega GK vs. Wes Foderingham GK
Stefan Ortega has performed admirably when called upon this season, posting a save percentage of 67% across all competitions. However, he has yet to face an attacking force as relentless as Sheffield, which ranks 5th in the EPL in shots per 90 minutes. If Ortega fails to make crucial saves and parry dangerous chances away from net, the Blades’ opportunistic strikers could make him pay.
On the other side, Sheffield keeper Wes Foderingham faces no easy test dealing with City’s stacked group of elite attackers. While he has made some incredible stops this season – his 89 saves are second most in the league – Foderingham has also allowed 44 goals, joint-worst in the EPL. If he cannot summon one of his best performances of the year, this match could get ugly for the visitors.
Soccer Odds/Point Spread: Manchester City -1400, Total Odds: 2.5
The betting odds are heavily skewed in favor of Manchester City, reflecting their dominance and Sheffield United’s struggles. The spread at -3 +197 for City suggests a prediction of a decisive victory. The total odds at 2.5 with over +260 and under -350 indicate a game with fewer goals, which aligns with Sheffield’s limited offensive output but counters City’s scoring potential.
Manchester City Betting Trends
Man City is 5-0 in their last 5 overall, showing the talent gap between them and most opponents during this dominant stretch. They also have a strong 3-2 ATS record in their last 5. Notably, away and home ATS trends tell differing stories – City is just 3-2 ATS in home matches like this one but a sterling 3-0 ATS on the road. Offensively, the over has hit in 4 of City’s last 5 outings. However, in their last 3 home matches, only 2 saw more than 2 total goals scored.
Sheffield United Betting Trends
It’s been mostly tough sledding for the Blades lately, with just 1 win in their last 5 games. However, they have beaten ATS expectations recently with a 3-2 record ATS in that span. As road underdogs, Sheffield has done even better at 4-5 ATS this season. Defensively is where the biggest discrepancy lies: Sheffield has seen 6 of their last 10 home games hit the over 2.5 total, whereas only 2 of their previous 5 overall have exceeded that number.
Manchester City vs. Sheffield United 12/30/23 Betting Picks
The analysis clearly leans towards Manchester City as the overwhelming favorite. Their offensive strength and recent form suggest they are likely to dominate the game. However, the large spread and the underwhelming total odds present a complex betting scenario.
For bettors, while a win for Manchester City seems almost certain, the value might lie in exploring the total goals market, considering City’s attacking capabilities and Sheffield’s defensive vulnerabilities.
In terms of EPL free predictions, a bet on Manchester City to win seems the safest choice. However, considering the spread and total goals, bettors might find better value in exploring alternative markets like individual player performance or half-time scores.
Free Pick and Prediction: Manchester City 4, Sheffield United 0