The definition of a final day dead-rubber fixture, Sheffield United travel to Southampton on Sunday.
Both teams come into this fixture feeling pretty good about their respective 2019/20 campaigns. The Blades have had a dream season, finishing in the top half when many expected them to go straight back down to the Championship. While Southampton would have feared the worst after losing 9-0 earlier on in the season, but find themselves sitting comfortably in 12th largely due to Danny Ings' fantastic form.
OMc9 x BS10 ? pic.twitter.com/RqT6iCbkQt
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) July 25, 2020
Where to Watch on TV
When is Kick Off? Sunday 26 July
What Time is Kick Off? 16:00 (BST)
Where is it Played? St Mary's Stadium
Tv Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports Mix
Referee? Peter Bankes
Team News
Southampton have Jan Bednarek and Yan Valery back in contention but will be lacking a bit of X-factor with Sofiane Boufal and Moussa Djenepo still out.
The Blades have reported a few knocks but no new injury problems, while striker Lys Mousset will be unavailable as he awaits the birth of his first child.
Predicted Lineups
Southampton: McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand; Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Redmond; Ings, Long.
Sheffield United: Henderson; Basham, Egan, O'Connell, Baldock, Stevens; Berge, Norwood, Fleck; McBurnie, McGoldrick.
Recent Form
Aiming for 7️⃣ unbeaten! ?
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 25, 2020
The boss is determined to see #SaintsFC sign off in style against #SUFC at St Mary's ?
Southampton come into this game unbeaten in six and will be looking to end the season on a high going into the miniature summer break. Having beaten south coast rivals Bournemouth in the last game, the Saints will be feeling confident going into this one.
Sheffield United, on the other hand, have had an indifferent run of form since returning to football in June. The Blades lost their last two games after a run of four games unbeaten, which included that 3-0 drubbing of Chelsea. Despite having the opportunity to qualify for Europe a week ago, two defeats to Leicester and Everton have now rendered that unachievable. But, if you'd told a Sheffield United fan that at the start of the season, they would have bitten your hand off.
Here's how the two teams have faired in their last five games:
Southampton
Bournemouth 0-2 Southampton (19/07)
Southampton 1-1 Brighton (16/07)
Man United 2-2 Southampton (13/07)
Everton 1-1 Southampton (09/07)
Southampton 1-0 Man City (05/07)
Sheffield United
Sheffield United 0-1 Everton (20/07)
Leicester 2-0 Sheffield United (16/07)
Sheffield United 3-0 Chelsea (11/07)
Sheffield United 1-0 Wolves (08/07)
Burnley 1-1 Sheffield United (05/07)
Prediction
Ordinarily, this would have been a really tight, interesting game - hopefully it still is. But, with the season close to completion and neither team fighting for anything of note, this game will probably have a pre-season feel to it, as have many since the return of football last month.
One player who will be motivated though is Danny Ings, who is only two goals behind Jamie Vardy for the Golden Boot. Ings as had a fantastic season for the Saints, and having scored against Bournemouth last time out, expect him to be among the goals on Sunday.
These are two exciting teams, two teams who could both - with a good summer - have real ambitions of getting into Europe next season. However, expect the side who were closest to that goal this season to nab the win on Sunday.
Prediction: Southampton 1-2 Sheffield United
Source: 90min
