Everton go into Boxing Day on a four-match unbeaten run with their last three games all finishing in wins. The Toffees haven’t just won football matches but they have kept two clean sheets in their last three league fixtures.
Sheffield United, on the other hand, go into matchday 15 at the bottom of the Premier League table. The Blades have taken just two points from 42 possible and could set a record for the fewest Premier League points in a season.
The current record for the fewest points in the league was set by Derby County just over a decade ago. As it stands, Sheffield United are 10 points from safety.
Although Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is one of the favourites to be sacked next, according to leading sportsbooks. It appears he will be with the club going forward based on reports centred around January transfers.
Wilder is at odds of 21/10 to be the next Premier League manager sacked. Only Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta is ahead of Wilder as the favourite to be fired next at odds of 11/4.
When these teams met last season, the away team won both league fixtures. Everton went to Bramall Lane and secured a 1-0 win thanks to a second-half Richarlison goal.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team go into matchday 15 in fourth place. They are just five points off of Liverpool in first place. The Toffees have taken 13 points from their last 18 possible.
The manager could be without key midfielder James Rodriguez for the game. While that would seem good for Sheffield United, Everton have won three straight games, all with Rodriguez out of action due to injury.
The Colombian is a doubt for the match. Ancelotti will be without Lucas Digne, Allan, Fabian Delph, and Jean-Philippe Gbamin are all ruled out.
Wilder will be without John Lundstrum for the game due to a suspension. Kean Bryan is ruled out through injury. Sander Berge and Jack O’Connell are both ruled out through their own respective injuries. Striker Oliver Burke is a doubt as it stands.
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in fine form this season. He is tied for second in the league in goals scored with 11. He has gone three game without a goal but could get a score against the Premier League’s third-worst defence.
FT. Two late goals end our Carabao Cup campaign.🔵 0-2 🔴 #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/XijktpfYRC— Everton (@Everton) December 23, 2020
FT. Two late goals end our Carabao Cup campaign.🔵 0-2 🔴 #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/XijktpfYRC
The Toffees should get a second straight win against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Everton may be without Rodriguez but shouldn’t have a difficult time putting goals past the dull Blades.