Sheff Utd vs Arsenal match preview, injury news and betting tips

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Arsenal get back to Premier League action when we travel to Bramall Lane to take on Sheffield United on Sunday.

We’ve left ourselves a mountain to climb after throwing away a golden opportunity to take control of our Europa League quarter-final tie with Slavia Prague on Thursday night.

After missing a hat-full of chances to put the game beyond doubt, Nicolas Pepe came off the bench to finally break the deadlock and give Arsenal the win they deserved.

However, Slavia scored an equaliser deep into injury time to secure a 1-1 draw at the Emirates so Arsenal will need positive result in the Czech Republic on Thursday if we’re to reach the semi-finals.

Despite the poor result in the first leg, online australian casinos still back Arsenal to progress to the last-4 and we remain second favourites behind Man Utd to win the Europa League outright.

But the pressure is still on Mikel Arteta to respond with a win this weekend against a Sheffield United side who’re rooted to the bottom of the table having assessed just 14 points all season.

Arsenal’s slim hopes of finishing in the top six were dented by a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool last weekend and we now sit 11th in the table – seven points off sixth – so we cannot afford another slip up tomorrow.

Team news

Arsenal have been handed a fresh blow as Emile Smith Rowe is a doubt for the game after aggravating an ankle injury. The youngster will be assessed but he’s likely to be part of the squad as Martin Odegaard is certain to miss out with his own ankle problem.

Kieran Tierney remains on the sidelines as he’s facing up to six weeks out with a knee injury that he sustained against Liverpool last weekend. David Luiz is also out after undergoing a minor knee operation.

Arteta is expected to mix things up with the return leg against Slavia Prague in mind so the likes of Dani Ceballos, Pablo Mari, Gabriel Martinelli and Nicolas Pepe are pushing for recalls.

Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is also expected to come back into the starting eleven after being left out against Prague on Thursday night.

As for Sheffield United, they’ll be without Sander Berge due to a thigh injury while Billy Sharp is also a long-term absentee with a groin problem.

Chris Basham and George Baldock will be assessed after stepping up their returns from injury but Jack Robinson and Jack O’Connell are ruled out of the game.

Betting

Unsurprisingly, Arsenal are priced as the 4/7 favourites to win the game with many of the best online gambling usa companies and I think that’s worth a few quid. Sheffield United have been woeful all season and Arsenal have to win if we’re to retain any hope of qualifying for Europe via the league.

However, if you fancy another upset you can back the Blades to win at odds of 5/1 and the draw is available at 29/10. But I’m confident Arsenal will win and predict a 2-1 victory for the Gunners.

Tip: Arsenal to win 2-1 at odds of 7/1

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