Sheffield United backed to make Europe: Can Chris Wilder's Blades achieve Champions League qualification?
After Sheffield United moved within two points of fourth, Paul Higham looks at the odds and asks if it's time to back the Blades to make Europe.
Who wouldn't want to see Chris Wilder's Sheffield United take on European giants like Real Madrid and Barcelona in the Champions League?
Who doesn't want to see what the continent's elite sides deal with the overlapping centre back system that has flummoxed Premier League opposition all season long?
Flippancy aside, Sheffield United’s 2-1 win over Bournemouth on Sunday put them in fifth place in the table, just two points behind Chelsea in that coveted final Champions League spot, so is it about time we talked about the Blades as serious European contenders?
Upcoming fixtures crucial
From nowhere, the Blades are now just 14/1 to achieve the unthinkable and break into the top four in the Premier League – which would be something considering their previous best ever top-flight finish is sixth in 1975.
Top Four finish odds
- Chelsea - 1/2
- Tottenham - 5/2
- Man Utd - 8/1
- Wolves - 10/1
- Sheff Utd - 14/1
Wilder’s side are a perhaps more sensible 2/1 to finish in the top six, but in truth they’ve got every chance of pushing the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham for that fourth spot and those prices may shorten further over the next few weeks.
The Blades have a nice run of games after their winter break with winnable matches against Brighton, Norwich and Newcastle that could well get them even closer to that fourth spot, given Chelsea face Man Utd and Spurs in their next two games.
Another big advantage is that the Champions League, and Europa League returns in the next couple of weeks, and while Chelsea, Spurs and Man Utd all have big fixtures in those competitions, Wilder can take more time training and scheming with his side for their league fixtures.
Sheffield United's next six fixtures
- Brighton (H) | Norwich (H) | Newcastle (A) | Man Utd (A) | Tottenham (H) | Burnley (A)
The Yorkshire side also have Man Utd and Spurs to take on in their next five games and positive results in those would see their odds tumbling – now may just be the best time to take the plunge on the Blades bagging European football.
Blades looking up
“We’re trying to catch Chelsea,” proclaimed Billy Sharp after the Bournemouth win. A lofty ambition, yes, but an illustration that this promoted side aren’t happily looking around and smelling the roses just yet.
"We're just trying to look above us to catch Chelsea!"
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 9, 2020
"The character in the dressing room is massive."
Billy Sharp and John Lundstram react to yet another big win...@SheffieldUnited are flying in fifth 🤯 pic.twitter.com/6MTDYPYhnA
They’re not satisfied with just being a bunch of plucky over-performers enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime season – and why should they? This is not just a few lucky results or a streaky run of form – 26 games in the Premier League usually has teams where they deserve to be, and with just 12 left they’ve got every right to be looking upwards rather than down at this stage.
Wilder’s players also know that they’ll not be let totally off the leash during this winter break, and the manager himself stated that no player in his dressing room was feeling comfortable and cosy and ready to take their foot off the gas.
Wilder’s not built like that and the team he’s built is very much not like that – the Blades will keep pushing and with issues for the others sides to deal with that looks very much like leading to a European tour for Sheff Utd fans next season.
Top Six finish odds
- Man Utd - 5/4
- Wolves - 6/4
- Sheff Utd - 2/1
- Arsenal | Everton - 4/1
Not that Wilder will admit that Europe is their target just yet, saying: "I'll let everyone else talk about it, I'm just on for the next three points.
"For a promoted side to get to this stage of the season with 39 points is an outstanding achievement, but I don't want us to get comfortable. We are in a fabulous position, we are enjoying it and we want more.
"I'd like it if we had a game next week, but we'll come back refreshed for the next part of the season."
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