Sheffield United welcome Manchester City to Bramall Lane on Sunday afternoon, with the quest of frustrating the Citizens and hoping for the best.
The Blades are yet to register a point this season after conceding a late goal against Nottingham Forest. Despite another defeat, it was an improvement on their previous performance but they will need to improve even further, and hope for a huge slice of luck, if they are to get anything from Sunday’s match.
Manchester City are two from two this season after comfortably beating Burnley 3-0 on opening day, and then a closer contested 1-0 win over Newcastle United. However, City have not won their first three Premier League games of the season since their first campaign under Pep Guardiola back in 2016/17.
But surely the City fans are expecting easy three points on Sunday, right?
Opposition fans view
“The 8 day rest feels bizarre but given our injury problems I think we need it. Might give us a chance to bring in a new face as well.”
“Seems a pretty straight forward task in front of us, Sheffield United don’t look equipped to stay in the Premier League, certainly not the same Sheffield United that were tough to break down last time they were in the league. They’ve lost their first 2 games to Palace and Forest. Certainly not meant as any slight on them but they’ve lost Ndaiye, Berge, Doyle and Mcatee since last season, they need additions and fast.”
“Got to be a game we’re looking to win.”
“Hopefully we’ll have a fuller squad by this game so we can rotate a little.”
“Phillips to start this one and give Rodri a rest.”
“If we can’t trust him early in the season against Sheffield united then we may as well just sell him now.”
“I agree with starting Phillips to give Rodney a rest. A proper test of an ex Leeds player to see if he can handle the Dee Dars abuse as well as play the game.”
“Pep isn’t gonna go with anything other than pretty much full strength.”
“Hopefully a cricket score Sheffield are sh*te.”
“We should be putting these to sleep over the 90 minutes…..predict a hattrick for Haaland.”
Away form
Last season Manchester City had the 2nd-best away form in the league, but they were involved in some close affairs against teams lower down the table. They beat Leicester City and Crystal Palace both via 1-0 score lines, but they were only able to draw 1-1 against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
The crowd and players will be up for the challenge, and it is fair to say that Sheffield United historically thrive in the atmosphere of being the underdogs. If the Blades can keep it tight early on and limit Manchester City’s chances, maybe they will frustrate the Champions.
We saw a few signs of sloppiness from City against Burnley, but their quality ultimately shined through. And they won’t have Pep Guardiola barking orders on the sidelines. Is there a chance they will take their eye off the ball at Bramall Lane on Sunday afternoon?
