Sheffield vs Manchester United Predictions and Picks: Red Devils Get Out to Fast Start

Sheffield United hope to avoid making the wrong sort of history on Saturday when they host Manchester United at Bramall Lane in a Premier League showdown.

The Blades have yet to taste victory in the Premier League thus far, losing seven of their first eight matches and taking just a single point. It’s tied for the worst point total in league history through eight matches, a feat they achieved just three seasons ago.

For Man United, their injury crisis is beginning to ease, and Erik ten Hag hopes that will lead to their first winning streak in the league thus far in 2023-24. Already eight points adrift of the league leaders and five spots off a Champions League place, dropping points against Sheffield would be catastrophic to their hopes.

There should be goals on offer on Saturday, and we discuss why that will benefit one team more than the other in our picks and predictions for Sheffield United vs Manchester United on Saturday, October 21. 

Sheffield vs Manchester United best odds

EPL predictions for Sheffield vs Manchester United

To say it’s been a bad start to the campaign for Sheffield United is an understatement. They’re one of just four teams in the league without a clean sheet this campaign, and their 6.1 expected goals are the fewest of any side.

Should Sheffield United fail to get a result against the Red Devils, it would make them the first club to earn just one point from nine fixtures in multiple campaigns. But the loss of captain Chris Basham won’t make things easier, as he suffered a horrible leg injury against Fulham prior to the international break.

That’s the last thing you need ahead of facing a team like Manchester United, and it’s one of the reasons we’re backing the Red Devils to win by multiple goals on Saturday. 

There are times when a team isn’t playing badly but simply suffers from bad luck and can’t find results. That’s not the case with Sheffield. Not only is their xG bottom of the league, but their expected goals against are the most of any club. Making matters worse, they’ve conceded 22 goals, more than two above expected. 

When Sheffield have the ball, they’re not able to do much with it. They rank dead last in long pass completion percentage and among the league's worst when it comes to both short and medium pass completion percentage. 

Their 188 progressive passes are nearly 30 fewer than any other side. Add these things together and it means they’re not set up to exploit Manchester United’s biggest weakness — their transition defense.

Defensively, they’re going to struggle with United’s creativity. Only seven teams allowed more goals per shot on target than Sheffield, and at nearly 22 shots allowed per contest, they rank worst in the Premier League. More than one-third of those attempts are reaching goal, which is going to help a Manchester United team sitting near the bottom in shots on goal percentage. 

With numerous injured players returning and Casemiro out due to an injury issue, I expect that the Red Devils will have a stronger lineup than they’ve had in recent weeks. Scott McTominay is in strong form and will likely partner in the middle of midfield with Sofyan Amrabat, while Bruno Fernandes will have the run of the pitch.

Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund both come into this match having scored in midweek in international play, and picking up points ahead of next weekend’s Manchester Derby will be a high priority. All these factors are why we’re taking Sheffield United to lose by multiple goals on Saturday for the fourth straight match.

My best bet: Manchester United -1.5 (+111 at TonyBet)

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Sheffield vs Manchester United same-game parlay

Manchester United winning margin to be 2 or more goals (+105)
Bruno Fernandes Over 0.5 shots on goal (-200)
Bruno Fernandes Over 55.5 passes (-225)

Manchester United Over 6 corners (+100)

+750 at bet365

For our same-game parlay, we head to bet365 where we’re building a nice payday around Manchester United’s biggest playmaker as he leads them to the win.

Bruno Fernandes has taken 25 shots through Man United’s first eight matches while creating 22 chances. Only James Maddison of Tottenham has a higher tally combined in those two areas this year after making his move from Leicester City. 

That’s why we’re going to back Bruno to get at least one shot on goal in this contest. He’s attempted multiple shots in six of his eight appearances, and his 10 shots on goal are the sixth-most of any player in the league. We’ll take him to put one on goal against Sheffield.

He’s also going to be key in their build-up play. In his last six matches, Bruno has attempted at least 70 passes on four occasions. That includes 72 or more against both Crystal Palace and Brentford in their last two matches. Given Sheffield United has allowed the fourth-most completed passes against this campaign, we’ll back him to easily clear the 55-pass mark.

Finally, Sheffield United have conceded 65 corners through eight matches, with only West Ham having allowed more. On the flip side, only Arsenal have attempted more than Man United’s 58 corners. I fully anticipate the Red Devils earning at least seven corners here in a match where they should dominate possession against a low block. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Sheffield vs Manchester United side and Over/Under analysis

Those wishing to back Man United on the 3-way line won’t find anything but juice. The best price on offer is -233, although you can get the draw at +425. Those wishing to bet on Sheffield United to get their first win of the season will find +650 very tempting.

That said, it’s likely a waste of money. Sheffield have shown zero fight this season. Their last three matches have seen them outscored 13-1, including an 8-0 drubbing from Newcastle in their last home fixture. Their long list of injuries won’t help matters, with many key players yet to return.

Manchester United will likely welcome back Raphael Varane and Sergio Reguilon, while McTominay will take Casemiro’s place in midfield. Kobbie Mainoo is likely a week away from returning.

As for the total, the books are anticipating a high-scoring affair. The standard line of 2.5 goals is heavily shaded towards the Over with the best price being -170, while Over 3.0 is offered around -120. 

Sheffield have conceded multiple goals in each of their last seven Premier League matches, while three or more goals have been scored in six of those fixtures. As for the visitors, there have been three or more goals scored in six of Man United’s last eight matches across all competitions, and in four of their last six in league play.  

I’m not playing the total here, as I could see this being a 2-0 win for Man United just as easily as a 3-1 or 4-1 scoreline. That said, if you’re looking to play an Over I’d look at the Red Devils team total of over 2.5, which can be had at plus-odds. 

Sheffield vs Manchester United game info

Sheffield vs Manchester United key injuries

Sheffield: John Egan D (Out), Chris Basham D (Out), Tom Davies M (Out). 

Manchester United: Lisandro Martinez D (Out), Tyrell Malacia D (Out), Jadon Sancho F (Out). 

Sheffield vs Manchester United recent league form

Teams	Recent Premier League Form
Sheffield	L-L-L-L-D
Manchester United	W-L-W-L-L

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