Everton’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s Europa League are still alive following a nil-nil draw with Aston Villa on matchday 35. Now, the Toffees face off against already relegated Sheffield United on Sunday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team are four points behind fifth-place Liverpool going into the weekend. However, Everton have blown hot and cold this season, and are one of the most frustrating sides in the entire Premier League.
Zak is claiming it. 👀😂Our 4th goal from the U23s win over Wigan. pic.twitter.com/zEo4TplBxU— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) May 13, 2021
Zak is claiming it. 👀😂Our 4th goal from the U23s win over Wigan. pic.twitter.com/zEo4TplBxU
Sheffield United are on a two-match losing streak going into matchday 36. The Blades are just looking to get to the end of the season to begin preparations for life back in the Championship.
It was believed by some pundits that without relegation pressure, Sheffield United would improve over the final few weeks of the season. They have not improved at all and continue to play the league’s worst football.
Everton have won their last two matches against Sheffield United by identical 1-0 scorelines. Games in the Premier League between these clubs have been low scoring and we are likely to see another game lacking goals on Sunday.
After a nil-nil first half in the reverse fixture, Everton won the match thanks to an 80th-minute Gylfi Sigurdsson goal.
Everton took nine points from the last 18 on offer in the league. Three of those games ended in draws and just two in victory.
Goals have been hard to come by for Everton as Dominic Calvert-Lewin's scoring has dried up. They scored just five times in the last six matches while conceding four goals.
Ancelotti will be without midfielder James Rodriguez once more. The Colombian continues to spend large amounts of time in the trainer’s room. Rodriguez has played in 22 of Everton’s 35 games this season.
He could miss the game against Sheffield United due to a continuing calf issue. Defender Yerry Mina is a doubt for the game with a groin strain. Meanwhile, long-term absentee Jean-Philippe Gbamin is ruled out of the fixture.
Paul Heckingbottom has four names on the Sheffield United injury list going into the game. Ethan Ampadu is a doubt to play due to a groin strain.
Striker Oliver McBurnie is again ruled out with an ankle injury. Jack O’Connell and Billy Sharp are both ruled out of the game.
Everton are on a two-game winning streak against Sheffield United and should turn it into three straight victories over the Blades.
Like the last two games, it should be low scoring and we could see another 1-0 Everton win versus Sheffield United.