In-from Southampton host struggling Sheffield United at St. Mary's on Sunday, with the visitors desperate for their first three points of the season.
The hosts could find themselves in the top four by the time the final whistle is sounded. Southampton come into the clash having won four of their last six league matches, and Ralph Hasenhuttl's side seem to have built a realistic European challenge this campaign.
The tale could not be more different for Chris Wilder's Blades, as they languish at the foot of the table, already six points from safety having picked up a sole point in their opening 11 league matches.
?PL this season:
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) December 11, 2020
5th Southampton 20pts
20th Sheffield Utd 1pt
After 11 games last season:
6th Sheffield Utd 16pts
18th Southampton 8pts
? Super Sunday: Southampton v Sheffield Utd
⏲️ Sunday from 11.30am, @SkySportsPL pic.twitter.com/PPStZrziw1
Where to Watch
When is it? Sunday 13 December
What Time is it? 12:00
Where is it Played? St. Mary's Stadium
TV Channel? Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, NBC Sports (USA)
Referee? Andy Madley
Team News
All good news for the hosts, as Hasenhuttl has a fully fit squad to choose form. Danny Ings, who returned from injury to bag the winner against Brighton on Monday, is likely to start the game. Meanwhile, Nathan Redmond is also back in contention.
As for Sheffield United, Jack O'Connell remains sidelined with a knee injury. The Blades will test the fitness of Ethan Ampadu, Enda Stevens and Lys Mousset before the game, but Wilder is likely to stick to the same side that battled hard against Leicester last Sunday.
Injury Report. ?
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) December 11, 2020
‘They’ve all trained this morning. Ethan, Enda Stevens and Lys have all taken part in training.
We’ll monitor them over the next 24hrs and hopefully they are on the coach on Sunday.’ pic.twitter.com/DG9vohxMs0
Predicted Lineups
Southampton: McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Bertrand; Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Djenepo; Ings, Adams
Sheffield United: Ramsdale; Basham, Egan, Brayn; Baldock, Lundstram, Berge, Fleck, Lowe; McBurnie, Burke
Recent Form
Southampton come into the tie in great form, having started the season as real challengers to the top six. To everyone's surprise, they've continued to perform and Hasenhuttl seems to have instilled his own philosophy and a real belief into the players.
Since losing their opening two fixtures, the Saints have only been defeated once, at home to away day specialists and comeback kings Manchester United. Hasenhuttl's men have won four of their last six league games, and look very difficult to play against. They were boosted most recently with a hard-fought away win at Brighton, in which Ings returned from injury to secure three points.
Danny Ings comes off the bench today and returns to goal scoring form to secure Southampton a 2-1 against Brighton. Southampton are now up to 5th in the Premier League table pic.twitter.com/nP2mXlZLpF
— Class on Grass Media (@C_O_G_Media) December 8, 2020
It's been nothing but misery at Bramall Lane so far this season. The Blades have picked up just one point all season, and on the road have done nothing but lose. However, looking beyond the results, there are definitely signs of promise for Wilder's men.
United have been unfortunate in matches this season. In all bar two of the ten games they've lost so far, the Blades have been very narrowly defeated and lost by one goal. Wilder's side have deserved more than they've got, and were desperately unlucky to leave the field with nothing against Leicester last time out.
Southampton
Brighton 1-2 Southampton (7/12)
Southampton 2-3 Manchester United (29/11)
Wolves 1-1 Southampton (23/11)
Southampton 2-0 Newcastle (6/11)
Aston Villa 3-4 Southampton (1/11)
Sheffield United
Sheffield United 1-2 Leicester (6/12)
West Brom 1-0 Sheffield United (28/11)
Sheffield United 0-1 West Ham (22/11)
Chelsea 4-1 Sheffield United (7/11)
Sheffield United 0-1 Manchester City (31/10)
Prediction
There is a clear favourite in this one.
Despite signs of hope for Sheffield United, they haven't been able to find the missing clinical touch to win games. Every time they step onto the field they look likely to lose and, although they create chances and have shown no lack of desire, they can't seem to change their fortunes against anyone.
A match away from home would be difficult enough against anyone for the Blades, but on Sunday Wider takes his side to one of the in-form teams in the division. Hasenhuttl's men look comfortable in their style of play, and more than effective when it comes to implementing it.
The Premier League basement boys are going to need all the luck they can get if they're going to overturn this woeful run of form. However, it's surely a day for the Saints.
Prediction: Southampton 3-1 Sheffield United
Source : 90min