Manchester City FC
Sheffield United FC
Sheffield United FC
Manchester City aim to stretch lead further against improved Sheffield United
Manchester City to win 2-0
City continued their outstanding form of late by thrashing another relegation struggler, West Brom, in midweek.
After struggling to score goals at their usual rate earlier in the season, City now have 36 for the season, including 11 in their last three matches. Many are predicting City will sweep the Premier League title come the end of the season, with inconsistencies from teams below them.
City will have had a smile on their face as their opponents this weekend shockingly beat Manchester United, allowing them to remain top of the league going into the next round of fixtures.
Sheffield United themselves are much improved of late, despite remaining at the foot of the table. The Yorkshire side have won four of their last five matches in all competitions, and closed the gap on 17th placed Brighton to 10 points.
Regardless, City should make short work of The Blades here.
Form Guide (all comps): WWWWW
Reasons to be cheerful:
11 game winning streak in all competitions
No real weak spot in the side
Reasons to be fearful:
Sheffield United proved themselves a tough side against Man United
Could be lulled into a false sense of security
Manchester City appear unstoppable at the moment. Although highly unlikely, the way in which they are playing has the potential to win every game between now and the end of the season.
If we have learned anything recently, however, it’s that there is always a twist in the tale.
As City’s close rivals United found out to their peril in midweek, even teams at the bottom of the table can bite hard and City will surely be doubly prepared for this one to avoid the same fate.
They have a great opportunity to stretch open a lead to four points, before other sides below them play later in the weekend.
With so many of City’s players on top form, it’s not hard to see why many are tipping them for the title come May.
Star Man – Ilkay Gundogan
Can’t stop scoring right now – the German international has four goals in his last three league matches.
Form Guide (all comps): WWLWW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Win over Manchester United was their best performance this season
Form has been good lately including FA Cup wins
Reasons to be fearful:
Both Manchester clubs back-to-back is tough going
City are in top gear right now
Sheffield United earned arguably one of the greatest results in their history by overcoming Manchester United in midweek, The Blades firmly at the bottom of the table with The Red Devils spending the past couple of weeks at the top.
It will not be enough by itself to drag Sheffield United out of the bottom three, but it could spur them on to more of the same in the weeks to come.
Chris Wilder will be delighted at how his side out-worked and out-fought United throughout the match and limited them to half-chances.
They know that City will present as tough, if not an even tougher challenge here, having swept aside fellow relegation strugglers West Brom 5-0 in their midweek fixture.
Star Man – John Fleck
Was the midfield dynamo that helped contain Manchester United. Assisted their first goal from a corner and was brilliant throughout.
Sheffield United will want more of the same
City will dominate possession
The Blades will find it harder than vs. United
Chris Wilder will send his players out this weekend asking for more of the same after a brilliant result against Manchester United in midweek.
However, City are a different beast at the moment, scoring goals for fun and not conceding many in return. It’s hard to see a repeat shock here.
Manchester City to win 2-0
