Image copyright: Getty Images
2023/24 English Premier League
Matchday 34
Sheffield United v Burnley
Bramall Lane
Sheffield, England
Saturday, 20 April 2024
Kick-off is at 16h00
A massive three points will be up for grabs when Sheffield United welcome fellow
Premier League strugglers Burnley to Bramall Lane on Saturday, April 20.
Both teams are languishing in the relegation zone after picking up just seven wins between them this season since earning promotion back to the top tier of English football.
The Blades suffered a 2-0 defeat to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium April 13 which extended their winless streak to eight matches and left them rooted to the foot of the table on 16 points.
The Clarets are just four points better off in 19th position, having played one game more, although they were unfortunate not to beat Brighton at Turf Moor most recently after only coming away with a 1-1 draw despite dominating proceedings.
Luton (18th) have a five-point cushion to Vincent Kompany's side following a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City on April 13, while Nottingham Forest (17th) are only a further point clear of danger.''
In team news, the hosts continue to be without Max Lowe, Chris Basham, John Egan (all ankle), Rhys Norrington-Davies, Tom Davies, Rhian Brewster (all thigh), George Baldock (calf) and Daniel Jebbison (illness), but Jack Robinson and Jayden Bogle (both ankle) could come back into contention. For the visitors, Aaron Ramsey, Luca Koleosho (both knee) and Nathan Redmond (thigh) remain unavailable, although Dara O'Shea is back from suspension, while Jordan Beyer (thigh), Hjalmar Ekdal and Ameen Al-Dakhil face late fitness tests.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder felt they were just lacking a bit of quality and luck after taking the fight to the Bees for large parts of the contest.
"There was an opportunity there, we understand the league position from our point of view and Brentford's point of view, but there was nothing in the game, just the final bit," Wilder said.
"In the Premier League you have to be so pitch perfect at everything. You have to play at the top of your game, make sure you knit those passes together, you find that pass that gets you in front and then the momentum goes with you, then it's a tough afternoon for our hosts.
"We worked very hard in terms of how we played, there were no passengers, it was just the quality we needed to find which decides games. I think it was a bit of luck which went against us, but I always felt we were in the game, and we had an opportunity."
Burnley assistant manager Craig Bellamy, who was standing in for the suspended Kompany against Albion, is convinced they will bounce back in South Yorkshire and believes the players have the character to escape the drop.
"We were disappointed we weren't leading in the first half but to get ourselves in that position, of course you know it's never over, especially in the Premier League, but we can completely understand the players being disappointed when they come in because we were in a winning position," Bellamy said.
"We know how vital the points are at this present moment, we know the position we're in, but can we recover and go again? We'll recover and then we'll have a good look at Sheffield United, we'll go through the plan, we'll go through the week and the players will be fine because they've shown their strength of character throughout this.
"There are five games left and 15 points, I honestly believe we're going to get out of this. Is it rainbow and unicorns? I don't know, but I honestly believe it."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Sheff United wins - 2
Burnley wins - 2
Draws - 1
Premier League Matchday 34 fixtures:
Saturday, April 20
16h00: Luton Town v Brentford
16h00: Sheffield United v Burnley
20h30: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal
Sunday, April 21
14h30: Everton v Nottingham Forest
16h00: Aston Villa v Bournemouth
16h00: Crystal Palace v West Ham United
17h30: Fulham v Liverpool
Bet on the English Premier League with Betway
Sign up at Betway and enjoy solid action & heart-racing thrills when you
bet on soccer
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow Betway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Download the Betway App.