Sheffield United v Manchester City Betting Tips [31 October 2020]

Manchester City aim to get back to winning ways domestically when they travel to Bramall Lane for a game with Sheffield United in the Premier League's early Saturday kick-off. The visitors are 13th going into this match, their lowly eight-point haul not what was expected from City's opening five fixtures. Yet, a glance at the problems of their opponents will give City perspective. Sheffield United have one point from their opening six games, a total that leaves them 19th in the table. The Blades started last season so brightly, contending for a European spot for much of the season, but fell off the pace after returning from lockdown. They maintained a tremendous run of form on home turf for the second half of the campaign, winning three in a row before a defeat to Everton kick-started their current four-game streak without a win. Losing goalkeeper Dean Henderson, one of their star performers, in the summer was a blow but, as ever for Sheffield United, the problem is in the attacking department. No Premier League team has scored fewer goals than their tally of three. There have been fewer than three goals scored in their last four home league games and they have failed to score in three of those. A recent 2-1 defeat to Liverpool offered reasons to be optimistic but Chris Wilder needs to stop the rot soon.

Pep Guardiola oversaw another European victory for City in midweek when they won away at Marseille in the Champions League. They are unbeaten in six matches in all competitions but victories are all that matter for City, which is why two draws in their last three league games - along with a defeat before that - is viewed as substandard. City are undefeated in their last five away league games but conceded in the last three. They managed to win both matches against Sheffield United last season, which was no easy feat then. Now, however, it doesn't look as tough a task. We suggest backing City to win with a clean sheet.

City are still working towards getting to their best form this season. However, even a subpar Guardiola side should be able to contain this Sheffield United attack. We suggest backing the visitors to win with a clean sheet.