There are two games in the Premier League to enjoy on Sunday and the first of those is at Bramall Lane. Sheffield United entertain Crystal Palace in their first home Premier League match of the season . It is their first home game in the top-flight since 2007 and it is sure to be a special occasion for the players and fans.
The hosts come into the game having picked up a good point in a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth last weekend. Sheffield United played well at times and were worth their point thanks to a late striker from Billy Sharp.
It will give The Blades confidence they can compete in the Premier League this season and if they are going to stay up, they will know how important home games are going to be for them.
Trends show Sheffield United have lost only one of their last ten home competitive matches but all ten were in the Championship. They won eight of those ten games and scored 2 or more goals in six of the last seven. Sheffield United also kept three clean sheets in their final five home Championship matches to help see them through to promotion.
The last time Sheffield United played at home in the Premier League they lost 2-1 to Wigan Athletic before being relegated and will want a more positive result from this match.
Crystal Palace started their Premier League campaign with a 0-0 draw at home to Everton. Despite Everton being down to ten men for the final 15 minutes of the games, Crystal Palace could not force a winner, with Jordan Pickford making two good saves to keep them out.
Prem is back! On to the next one 🔵 pic.twitter.com/9mHIiuLXbz— Jordan Pickford (@JPickford1) August 10, 2019
Prem is back! On to the next one 🔵 pic.twitter.com/9mHIiuLXbz
Trends show Crystal Palace are undefeated in their last five Premier League games, winning three and drawing two. The Eagles have won each of their last three away matches, defeating Newcastle United, Arsenal and Cardiff City, so should be feeling good about their chances in this one.
Crystal Palace are undefeated in six of their last seven on the road and have seen both teams score in nine of their last twelve away Premier League games.
Looking ahead to the team news and Sheffield United could go with the same starting XI from the draw with Bournemouth. However, Billy Sharp and Oliver McBurnie will be hoping to get the nod in attack following their introduction from the bench at the Vitality Stadium.
Crystal Palace have a decision to make over Wilfried Zaha. The want-a-way forward came off the bench and did well last weekend and the temptation must surely be to start him in this game. Pape Ndiaye Souare is back in training but James Tomkins is expected to miss out with a groin injury.
This is going to be a close game, with both teams wanting to win but they could be evenly matched thanks to Sheffield United’s home advantage. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see this one end level, with both teams scoring.