Pick for July 2, 2020 (THURSDAY)
Game will start on 1:00 PM EST, Englang Premire League
Match: Sheffield United - Tottenham
LOSS - PICK: TAKE the TOTTENHAM ML for 2 UNITS (1.83 ODDS).
I really like Tottenham's squad right now and they are a team that I feel will be on the rise. They have underachieved this year. After finishing one point out of third place last year and finishing in third place two seasons ago, it has to be disappointing for them to be stuck in seventh place at the moment. The good news for them is that they still have a shot to move up to Europa qualification. And I think they may be able to pull it off. A big part of the reason they have been so sketchy has been injury issues. Harry Kane and Heung-Min Sonboth missed time and Tottenham just hasn't been able to field a full, healthy squad. But everyone is suited up and in peak form right now. And they looked extremely dangerous in their 2-0 win over a decent West Ham side last week. I also think that, due to a schedule quirk, some extra rest (eight days between matches) will have them right.
On the other side is Sheffield United. This is absolutely a team that I see heading in the opposite direction. These guys have lost three of four matches (one draw) since the restart. They had been playing so far above their heads early in the season that they were due to come back to reality. But then a nearly four-month layoff sucked away any momentum or mojo that this team had. They got wrecked 3-0 by Newcastle and Man U (a team that Tottenham outplayed in a 1-1 draw in their first match back) and they are coming off a dispiriting 2-1 FA Cup loss to Arsenal, falling on a 91st minute goal. This team was promoted for this season. They haven't been in the Premier League since 2007! Just four seasons ago they were in League One, the third division of English soccer! They are way out of their depth here.
Sheff U. also has some injury issues. They May again have to play without Jack O'Connell, who hasn't played in any of their matches since the restart. Even if he comes back, he hasn't played in four months and will be rusty. Also, 30-match starter John Lundstram left last match with an arm injury and is doubtful for this one.
I think this line is a reflection of who these teams were before the restart. I don't think it is a reflection of who they are right now at this moment in time nor who they are going to be for the rest of the season. I think Tottenham will completely control this match and I can see them starting to stretch a bit and gain even more momentum in a 2-1 or 3-1 win.
Best of luck and Grind On everyone.