Newcastle vs Sheffield United: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Newcastle host Sheffield United, looking for three points to strengthen their grip in the top six of the Premier League table.

Date: 27/04/24

Kick-off time: 15:00

Venue: St James’ Park

With three wins in four, Newcastle have been able to climb up the table into sixth place, meaning it is in their hands to finish within the top six. As only six games remain, it is unlikely they are able to catch Tottenham in fifth, who they trail by 10 points. Sixth will get a Europa League spot, so they will hope to finish as strong as possible. However, they are level on points with Man United, and are just two and three points ahead of West Ham and Chelsea, with the latter having a game in hand. Any slip-up will be taken advantage of, which is why the games against the likes of Sheffield United are must wins for Eddie Howe’s side.

The Blades have been all but condemned to an immediate return to the Championship as they are 10 points behind Nottingham Forest in 17th. They will play the last few games playing for pride, as they look to finish on as many points as possible. Not finishing bottom is still a possibility, and they will try to pick up as many points as they can.

Chris Wilder’s men have the worst defence in the division, having let in a whopping 88 goals. Newcastle have scored 12 in their last four, and will be extremely confident in significantly boosting that figure. Alexander Isak has enjoyed an incredible campaign, scoring 17 goals in 24 league appearances. Anthony Gordon has also contributed greatly with 10 goals and eight assists. If the visitors are to threaten, they will turn to Oli McBurnie, who is their top scorer with six. There have been five Premier League meetings between these two sides since 2019. It has been an extremely favourable fixture for Newcastle, as they have won four of these games and lost just once. That defeat was a narrow 1-0 defeat at Bramall Lane in 2021, in which Billy Sharp scored the winner from the penalty spot. The reverse fixture earlier this season was anything but close, with Newcastle winning 8-0 away from home. Eight different players were on the scoresheet, including Callum Wilson, Gordon and Isak.

Newcastle

Newcastle have a number of season-ending injuries, but hope to welcome Joe Willock back. The hope is that the likes of Joeliton, Nick Pope and Callum Wilson return sometime next month.

Sheffield United

Sheffield United hope that Jack Robinson can return from injury in this game. Jayden Bogle may also make a return to the lineup.

Newcastle

In their last five games, Newcastle have won three, lost one and drawn one. The first game of this run was a 2-0 loss to Man City in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. The Magpies offered no threat throughout the game, with them achieving just two shots and one on target. City dominated and were rewarded with a first-half 2-0 lead thanks to a brace from Bernardo Silva.

This preceded an incredible 4-3 win at home to West Ham. Isak opened the scoring from the spot, but the game was turned on its head before the break as Michail Antonio and Mohammed Kudus scored. Jarrod Bowen added a third early in the second half, but another penalty got the hosts back in the game. Seemingly headed for defeat, substitute Harvey Barnes stepped up with a brace including one in the 90th minute to snatch victory.

Their only draw was at home to Everton, in which they conceded late on to share the points. Isak scored again, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s 88th-minute penalty meant it ended 1-1. Bruno Guimaraes scored the winner with less than 10 minutes to go. A trip to Fulham followed, in which they narrowly won 1-0. The goal came late, with Bruno Guimaraes netting with nine minutes to go. Last time out they crushed Tottenham 4-0 at home. Spurs were extremely dominant in possession, enjoying 73% of the ball overall, but Alexander Isak broke the deadlock after half an hour, before Anthony Gordon doubled the lead almost instantly. A third was scored by Isak shortly after the restart, and Fabian Schar added a fourth late on to complete the rout. Before they host Sheffield United at the weekend, Newcastle will travel to face Crystal Palace in midweek.

Sheffield United

In their last five games, Sheffield United have lost three and drawn two. The league’s bottom side are continuing to search for a win, but they have picked up a couple of points in this stretch. A blown lead meant that they dropped points to draw 3-3 against Fulham. They went ahead in the second half with a goal from Ben Brereton Diaz, but Joao Palhinha levelled it four minutes later.

Oli McBurnie helped them retake the lead which was added to by Brereton Diaz’ second to make it 3-1 with 20 minutes remaining. Bobby De Cordova-Reid pulled another back, before the comeback was complete when Rodrigo Muniz scored a stunning goal to equalise. A tricky trip to Anfield followed, though it was not as one-sided as first expected. Liverpool took the lead as Darwin Nunez capitalised on a mistake by Blades keeper Ivo Grbic, but this was cancelled out by a Conor Bradley own goal shortly after the restart. The hosts’ quality shone through with a brilliant strike from Alexis Mac Allister putting them back ahead with Cody Gakpo adding insurance late on. They then had a home fixture against Chelsea. They drew 2-2 as they came from behind twice, with goals from Bogle and McBurnie.

They faced Brentford away from home and lost 2-0. It was a fairly even game, but Brentford were the only side able to find the back of the net. They went ahead midway through the second half after Oliver Luke Arblaster converted into his own net. It remained this way until stoppage time when Frank Onyeka added an insurance goal.

Last time out they took on Burnley at home, the team directly ahead of them in the league table. They lost convincingly 4-1 with Gustavo Hamer as their only goalscorer. Before they travel to Newcastle at the weekend, they face a difficult match away at Man United on Wednesday night.

The league’s bottom side travel to Newcastle with relegation all but confirmed, and face a side who are in an intense battle for Europe. As a result, we expect the hosts to pick up all three points in a comfortable win - Newcastle 3-0 Sheffield United

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Newcastle vs Sheffield United will not be available to watch in TV in the UK.

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