Sheffield United vs Arsenal Predictions

• Arsenal have scored 25 times across their last six league matches
• Sheffield United have conceded five times in each of their last three at home
• The Blades have the league’s worst defence, shipping 2.77 goals per home game
• Bukayo Saka has scored in five straight Premier League games, notching seven times

Two sides in contrasting form

Title-chasing Arsenal are worthy favourites in this visit to bottom side Sheffield United, with the gulf between the pair clear from their recent results. While the Gunners have put together a six-game winning streak to stay in the title hunt, Sheffield United have lost four of their last five in the league.

The Blades have been poor throughout the campaign and they’re breaking records for their leaky defence. The hosts have shipped 66 goals across their last 26 matches, making them comfortably the worst backline in the top-flight. With Arsenal’s rich run of form putting them amongst the league’s top scorers, this could be another uncomfortable evening for Chris Wilder and co.

Gunners surging towards top spot

A tricky end to 2023 raised questions about Arsenal’s title ambitions, but those doubts have been squashed in recent weeks after an emphatic run of victories. The Gunners have scored 25 times across their last six league wins, bouncing back from a Champions League defeat with a 4-1 drubbing of Newcastle last time out.

Arsenal have scored at least three times in five of their last six and they should be confident of extending that against the league’s worst defence. The Gunners have rattled off a pair of thumping away wins across their last two Premier League trips, securing a 5-0 win at Burnley and a 6-0 victory at West Ham. With the worst team in the division up next, it’s hard to see this clash staying close.

Saka to put Blades to the sword

While the Gunners are soaring, Sheffield United are bottom of the table and they’ve suffered a string of daunting home defeats. The hosts have shipped 20 goals across their last five at Bramall Lane, while they’ve conceded five times in each of their last three starts at their own ground.

The Gunners didn’t really have to get out of first gear in a routine 5-0 victory when these two met at the Emirates earlier this season. Mikel Arteta’s side have been masterful against the league’s weakest teams, claiming seven wins from seven against the bottom eight heading into the weekend. They can complete the set against the Blades, racking up a few goals in the process.

The visitors’ struggling defence will have to try and contain the league’s form player on Monday, with Bukayo Saka leading the way in Premier League goals in 2024. The winger has scored in each of his last five league appearances, including a brace away to both Burnley and West Ham. He is a good bet to get at least one goal in another big win for the Gunners.