Sheffield United (2-4-16) vs. Aston Villa (13-4-5)
Sheffield United vs. Aston Villa 2/3/24 – On Saturday afternoon at Bramall Lane, Sheffield United takes on Aston Villa for an eagerly anticipated Premier League clash that pits them in starkly different current form and standings; Sheffield United having struggled near the bottom while Aston Villa have enjoyed more favorable fortune. Fans and bettors alike are seeking pro handicapping advice to navigate through this game’s intricate nuances.
Sheffield United’s offensive efforts this season have been somewhat lackluster, finding only limited success at finding their target. Although Oliver McBurnie and Gustavo Hamer have shown glimpses of brilliance at times, consistency in front of goal remains elusive. Facing Aston Villa’s strong defense – led by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez who boasts six clean sheets and 61 saves – Sheffield must put forth its best performance offensively to penetrate Villa’s backline.
Conversely, Aston Villa’s attack has been far more potent. Ollie Watkins and Douglas Luiz have led this charge with Watkins scoring 10 goals and 9 assists while Luiz’s midfield contributions have been invaluable. Aston Villa’s attacking prowess will put Sheffield United’s defensive mettle to the test as Wes Foderingham made 94 saves during an intensive game-week between these teams; creating an intriguing contest.
Sheffield United vs. Aston Villa 2/3/24 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 12:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Bramall Lane |
| TV: | NBCU |
| Stream: | Premier League Pass |
Wes Foderingham GK vs. Emiliano Martínez GK
Wes Foderingham has endured a difficult season between the sticks for Sheffield United as the last line of defense. In 21 starts, he has committed 0 fouls yet suffered 10 against him proving not the most imposing presence. Already cautioned twice, he must be careful going forward. Most glaring are his numbers – conceding an alarming 1.90 goals per 90 minutes. Despite facing nearly 5 shots on target each match, he holds just a single clean sheet. His 49 goals allowed ranks third-worst in the entire Premier League. It is no wonder Sheffield struggles so mightily. Foderingham simply does not make enough critical saves, stopping only 94 shots while allowing 4+ goals seven times.
Emiliano Martínez who has backstopped Aston Villa to an impressive defensive record this campaign. In 21 starts, the Argentine has committed just 1 foul while forcing 4, showcasing his willingness to protect the area. While no stranger to the referee’s book with 4 yellows so far, it reflects his gritty attitude to challenge opposition forwards. The stats reveal a much steadier presence than his counterpart Saturday – allowing just 1.23 goals per 90 minutes behind a backline that permits 3+ shots on target each game. Yet Martínez has helped Villa achieve 6 clean sheets, including shutouts in 2 of the last 3 matches. Thesaves add up as well – nearly 3 per appearance and a sterling 76% save rate.
Soccer Odds/Point Spread: Aston Villa -162, Total Odds: 3
The betting odds lean in favor of Aston Villa, reflective of their superior league standing and form. The spread and moneyline suggest confidence in Villa’s ability to secure a win, while the total odds indicate expectations of a game with goals, albeit likely dominated by the visitors.
Sheffield United Betting Trends
Sheffield is just 1-3 over their last 5 matches, including 0-2 and 0-3 losses in their previous two. Though they’ve performed well against the spread recently at 4-1, those numbers seem unlikely to hold against a superior Villa group. With Villa entering as road favorites, this match doesn’t appear destined for an upset special.
Aston Villa Betting Trends
After a strong run, Villa has cooled a bit with a 2-2 record over their past 5 contests. However, the underlying stats reveal they’ve still consistently created scoring chances and played well defensively. Combined with facing one of the EPL’s worst teams in Sheffield, Villa seems poised to get back on track with a statement victory.
Sheffield United vs. Aston Villa 2/3/24 Betting Picks
Given the data and trends, Aston Villa should emerge victorious in an away clash against Sheffield United on Sunday afternoon, although their resilience must not be discounted; making Sheffield an intriguing pick.
As Aston Villa have shown more consistent overall performance and offensive abilities, betting on total goals might offer more value – both teams could contribute towards scoring! For free EPL predictions, Villa is likely to come out victorious; however, do not discount a high-scoring affair being possible.
Free Pick and Prediction: Aston Villa 2, Sheffield United 1.