Written by billythekid
It wasn’t a good performance at Burnley, in our first of a run of three games against teams in the bottom three of the Premier League table. But the Cherries ground out their first win and clean sheet in the league this year. The last win and clean sheet was at Dean Court on Boxing Day against Fulham. AFCB’s win was the only one of the weekend of teams below us in the table, all lost besides Brentford who drew. Sheffield United lost against Arsenal which was played on Monday night. The Blades who are bottom of the table are our visitors to Dean Court on Saturday at 3 pm. AFCB must be hoping to get their first win at home this year.
When AFCB played the away game at Bramall Lane against Sheffield United, their manager was Paul Heckingbottom at the time. The Cherries won 1-3 and United’s next game was away at Burnley. Heckingbottom’s team were beaten 5-0 against the team bottom of the table, after that result Sheffield United went bottom and that was their manager’s last game in charge. The Blades turned to their old manager Chris Wilder to take charge of his boyhood club again, he was previously in charge of the team from May 2016 to March 2021. He took over with his side after playing 14 games rock bottom on 5 points and his first game in charge was against Liverpool at home.
Since Wilder has been in charge, on their travels, Sheffield United have won one game and that was 1-3 at Luton. They have had one draw and that was 1-1 against Aston Villa. United have lost four games, 2-0 to both Chelsea and Manchester City, 3-2 against Crystal Palace and in their last away game, 1-0 at Wolves. At home, they have beaten Brentford. Drawn with West Ham and lost to Liverpool, Luton Town, Aston Villa and Brighton. Their most recent home game was against Arsenal which ended 0-6 and Wilder’s heaviest defeat so far.
The last time AFCB played Sheffield United at Dean Court was in October 2021 in the Championship. Morgan Gibbs-White who was on loan from Wolves, scored the opening goal in the 56th minute for the Blades. Dominic Solanke equalised six minutes later from the penalty spot. Three minutes later, Philip Billing scored the winner.
In our home games against Sheffield United, AFCB have W 1, D 3, L 5.
In all competitions, AFCB have W 3, D 6, L 11.
AFC Bournemouth v Sheffield United
AFCB Win
Draw
Sheff Utd Win
AFCB Team News
Marcos Senesi was substituted at Burnley with a hamstring injury. Ryan Christie wasn’t at his best at Burnley due to illness.
AFCB Player To Watch
Dominic Solanke is due a goal, so far this season he hasn’t gone more than two league games without scoring. Lewis Cook had a good game at Burnley and assisted for both goals. Think this game could suit Antoine Semenyo.
Sheffield United Team News
Mason Holgate is suspended. Players out injured are Max Lowe, Chris Basham, John Egan, Cameron Archer, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Anis Ben Slimane and Rhiannon Brewster. Daniel Jebbison has been out some time through illness.
Sheffield United Player To Watch
James Mcatee had good game and looked lively in a live game on Sky recently against Wolves, the young midfielder is on loan from Manchester City and has scored 3 goals and has 2 assists. Another player and joint leading scorer is Oliver McBurnie with 4 goals and 2 assists.Ben Brereton has played 3 games and has scored 2 goals.
The Referee
Anthony Taylor is in charge of our game. We had him last season for three home games against Wolves, Spurs and West Ham.
Matt Stevenson added…
I’ve looked at the last 4 league games for Shef Utd. These were two home games (Brighton and Arsenal) and two away games at Luton and Wolves. Shef Utd gained 3 points although they never had the highest xG in a game. Shef Utd have scored 3 goals and conceded 13 with xG estimating 3.22 goals with 8.40 conceded.
The average positions of the starting line-ups are below. Apart from having the majority of players in their own half there is little continuity in the structure. Shef Utd were furthest forward away at Wolves although this may be because Wolves were happy to sit back and defend their lead.
The following graph compares summary stats of Shef Utd and AFCB over the last 4 games. Shef Utd have worse stats throughout, apart from intriguingly, big chances conceded. AFCB on average have twice as many goal attempts per game than Shef Utd.
Neither side have had over 40% possession. AFCB seem to be restricting the number of chances from dead ball situations which contrasts to the perceived weakness last season.
Your say…
Reality and Realism posted…
We have to be careful against Sheff Utd. They will be looking for a reaction after their Arsenal debacle. Secondly, teams who realise they are down tend to play with freedom as the pressure is off them. We must be aware and be professional. – To join the conversation, click here.
Bournemouth must be careful not to take Sheffield United seriously. To play a weakened team may well bakckfire as against Leicester in the Cup. Three points from this game may well prove decisive at the end of the season. A high press moving the ball quickly as in the second half against Manchester City should provide the desired result. Sinistera and Semenyo should provide the service and support that Solanke lacked against Burnley. Tavernier appears to have lost confidence at present and should be benched.