On paper, Newcastle United absolutely should beat Sheffield United on Sunday.
Newcastle came fourth in the Premier League last season, are a Champions League club and have a squad filled with amazing players such as Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak. On top of that, Sheffield United are newly promoted, and are yet to win a game this season.
However, the trip to Bramall Lane could be a major banana skin for the Magpies. Newcastle head to the home of the Blades on the back of their Champions League opener – a game that was physically and emotionally draining.
Ahead of the Premier League encounter, Eddie Howe has admitted that his players are yet to train fully following the draw with AC Milan. That is slightly concerning, but a necessary evil of competing in the Champions League.
Newcastle’s lack of time to recover and prepare could play into Sheffield United’s hands, and former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov believes that Paul Heckingbottom’s side can get something from the game.
Dimitar Berbatov predicts Newcastle will draw with Sheffield United
Berbatov has predicted what the score will be between Sheffield United and Newcastle United for The Metro. He believes it will be a 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane.
“Newcastle won last weekend,” he wrote.
“I’m happy that they’re back in the Champions League and they will be pleased with the point in a tricky game. They’ll have a lot of football to play this season and will have to rotate the team.
“Sheffield United have a tough season ahead, they need to be smart, they were a bit unlucky against Spurs, but it shows you have to be concentrated always.
“I’ll go for a draw here.”
Newcastle keen not to suffer Champions League hangover
A Champions League hangover could give Sheffield United a chance on Sunday, but it is quite surprising to hear that Berbatov does not think he will win. He has been very complimentary towards the Magpies in his predictions so far this season, but can now see them slipping up at the weekend.
Even with their exploits in Milan, this is a game that Newcastle will be desperate to win. We need to build up momentum in the Premier League and capitalise on last week’s victory over Brentford.
But the Blades are a dangerous opponent, and will feel like they should be higher up the table. While they have only got one point on the board, they have never lost by more than one goal and came agonizingly close to getting positive results against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
The Newcastle players will be setting themselves up for failure if they underestimate Sheffield United.
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