Everton host already relegated Sheffield United in the Premier League, having secured safety for themselves in recent weeks.
Date: 11/05/24
Kick-off time: 15:00
Venue: Goodison Park
With just two games remaining for both sides, neither have much left to play for. Sheffield United sit bottom, a position they have held for the majority of the season, and with a recent defeat to Newcastle, their immediate return to the Championship has been confirmed. It has been a dreadful season for the Blades, and it seems their fate had been decided for a while. That being said, they will want to end the season on a high, starting with a trip to Goodison Park.
Sean Dyche’s side have been near the bottom of the table all year, not helped by multiple point deductions which had left their Premier League status in serious doubt. They had gone through a torrid stretch of form between December and April, which had seen them go winless in thirteen league games. However, they have found form at the right time with three wins in four to secure another season in the top flight.
There should be goals in this one, particularly for the hosts, as they take on a defence who have conceded a whopping 100 goals and counting. This is the joint-most by a side in a single season in the Premier League. Sixteen of those have come in the last four, which will leave the Everton attack confident in finding the back of the net. Despite going through a long scoring drought, Dominic Calvert-Lewin tops the charts with seven goals, a tally which he will hope to add to. The Toffees have conceded just one in four, and this strong defensive streak should continue, with the Blades having the worst frontline in the division.
Since 2019, these two sides have met five times, all in the Premier League. There has not been much to split the pair, with them winning twice each and drawing once. The reverse fixture earlier this season resulted in the points being shared, as they drew 2-2. Abdoulaye Doucoure put Everton in front, but Sheffield United turned it around with a Cameron Archer strike and Jordan Pickford own goal. Arnaut Danjuma scored the equaliser early in the second half.