Michael Owen thinks Sheffield United will take points off Arsenal when both teams return to Premier League action.
The Blades host Unai Emery’s side at Bramall Lane live on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football. They will be looking to improve their home form having lost their last three league matches there.
However, Owen thinks their previous outing in South Yorkshire shows why they can get a result against the Gunners. They narrowly lost 1-0 to leaders Liverpool.
“Sheffield United have failed to score in their last three games in all competitions but they were, arguably, unlucky not to pick up a point against Liverpool in their last home game,” the former England international wrote in his Betvictor blog.
“Arsenal have only conceded once in their last four games in all competitions, but I would not be surprised if the Gunners had to settle for a point at Bramall Lane on Monday.
“Chris Wilder’s side have not lost by more than one goal in the league so far this campaign and I think they will get a draw against the Gunners.”
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Does Sheffield United form suggest Michael Owen has a point?
Owen highlights two distinctive traits displayed by the Blades so far this season – their defensive resolve and their struggles in scoring.
Only the aforementioned Reds have conceded fewer than the seven goals by Chris Wilder’s men in 2019/20. They have kept clean sheets in two of their last three league matches.
The back line that ensured they had the joint best defensive record in the Championship last term has made the step up with aplomb. Chris Basham, John Egan, Jack O’Connell and on loan Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson all played a key role in earning promotion in 2018/19.
Which is perhaps why Wilder focused on improving his side’s attack. The club record transfer was broken three times over the summer buying new forwards.
Yet the Blades have only scored seven times in England’s top flight. Only Newcastle United, Everton and Watford have netted fewer and they are all in the bottom five.
It could well be another tight, low scoring game on Monday.