With a record number of goals conceded nearly a third of a way through the 2023/24 season, and with just a single win to their name, Sheffield United are on course to become one of the worst sides to ever inhabit the English top-flight.

Eleven games in, a team almost exclusively populated by Championship-standard players have been breached every 33 minutes, responding with a meagre 0.8 goals per 90. 

All season long they’ve been in front for a mere 52 minutes while the sheer volume of shots they’ve faced is astonishing. An average of 19.3 per game has left keeper Wes Foderingham over-worked and then some. 

All told, it’s not exactly looking good for Paul Heckingbottom’s strugglers. Indeed, the sports betting and basic common sense are both in full agreement that the Blades are doomed to drop just five months after securing promotion. 

Worse yet – or more accurately it will be worse in hindsight, once their pain at enduring relegation passes – the Yorkshire club are in grave danger of finding themselves on a decidedly dishonourable honours roll should their plight continue, forever shaming this famous institution that is lucky enough to be blessed with a terrific fan-base. 

The most goals ever conceded in a Premier League season was 100, by Swindon Town in 1993/94. At their current rate, the Blades are set to ship in 104. 

The worst goal difference accumulated by a top-flight collective was -69, embarrassingly accrued by Derby County in 2007/08. The Rams incidentally also picked up the fewest ever number of points (11) as they floundered from August through to May. 

At least on their present trajectory, United will surpass eleven, just. But the Premier League’s all-time worst goal difference is due to be smashed.

Lastly, after conceding 2.8 goals per 90 from their away fixtures to date, the Blades are going to get precariously close to Wigan’s woeful tally of 55 in 2009/10 for most goals conceded on the road. 

Broadening our scope, what is beyond question is that should Sheffield United carry on losing on an almost weekly basis, they will eventually join the discredited ranks of Derby, Sunderland in 2005/06 and themselves in 2020/21 in being widely branded as the Premier League’s worst ever fare. 

Three years ago, after ironically impressing in their previous campaign, the Blades capitulated from the off, finding themselves out-classed each and every weekend, and as the defeats racked up they inevitably and quickly hit rock-bottom. 

The similarities between then and now are sadly uncanny. 

One of the most popular football cliches is that fortunes can improve with a change in personnel in the dug-out, and it is wholly unsurprising that Heckingbottom is among the favourites to be the next Premier League manager to leave his position. 

Yet, whoever comes in will still have to go with a persistently porous defence. They’ll still inherit a forward line that has notched only three goals between them by early November. 

Regrettably for the Blades, miracle workers are few and far between these days.

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*

After overseeing Manchester United’s worst start to a season for 61 years, Erik Ten Hag’s future reportedly resides on ‘thin ice’, in a story broken by The Times this week. 

News outlets are openly speculating as to who his successor might be, while the Dutchman’s press conferences amount to half-hour interrogations regarding his competency. 

Less than 18 months into a role that has been equated by some to a poisoned chalice, it very much feels like the end-game for the former Ajax coach. The bitter end.

We’re been here before of course, in this departure lounge. Several times over in fact this past decade. We know how to work the coffee machine. We are well-acquainted with the Green Mile stare of the latest United manager waiting for the axe to fall. 

We are acutely aware of how the next few days, and the next few weeks play out and while the more sympathetic among us avert our eyes, pretending there is something fascinating on our shoes, rival fans revel in every detail and every defeat.  

For the sixth time since 2013, when Sir Alex Ferguson hung up his overcoat, a failed and broken United boss is set to be jettisoned. 

It is an outcome that at this juncture feels inevitable, for all that United have refuted the Times story, and for all that the currently cash-strapped club will struggle to afford Ten Hag’s costly pay-off.

Having lost exactly half of their league games going into tomorrow’s clash at Fulham, the Reds presently have their worst goal difference since 1972 and by every metric are experiencing their worst run of results since 1931. 

They’ve been beaten by Brighton, Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Newcastle at home across all comps, and outclassed by Spurs and Arsenal away. Last week, their neighbours City once again painfully illustrated the vast gulf in coherency and distinction that exists between the sides. 

Yet oddly, it is not the plethora of losses that most starkly shines a light on their shortcomings in Ten Hag’s second season in charge.

The fortunate manner in which they have papered over the cracks with a handful of victories is especially damning, starting with a bizarre VAR call in their favour on the opening day against Wolves after being outplayed throughout. 

A questionable sending off and a highly questionable penalty at home to Nottingham Forest helped to facilitate a comeback from two goals down. Then there was their late, late show against Brentford, followed by Copenhagen missing a last gasp spot-kick in the Champions League.

When your good days are actually bad days averted, you know something is extremely amiss.

All of which has left United seriously trailing in the Premier League top four odds. Indeed, an Opta ‘supercomputer’ estimates they have just a 2.5% chance of making the Champions League places come May.

Will Ten Hag still be at the helm by then? The football betting says no. Our instincts say no. Unless there is a transformative, dramatic reversal in fortunes – and quickly – another new era for the under-performing giants awaits. 

For balance, it should be pointed out that the under-fire gaffer actually has the best win percentage of any United manager since Ferguson, while a respectable third-place finish and a League Cup success last term should count as credit in the bank.

It has hardly helped Ten Hag’s cause either the off-field problems persistently blighting the club, with a mish-mash of a footballing structure above him and detested owners unwilling to sell up, leading to protests regularly occurring on matchdays. 

But when the team is performing so badly then for sure the buck has to stop with him.  

Having consigned Raphael Varane to the bench, it has been the manager’s prerogative to go with a Leicester City tribute act of Harry Maguire and 35-year-old Jonny Evans at the back, their subsequent struggles merely a continuation of systemic issues in defence. 

In an ill-balanced midfield, Casemiro’s legs have gone while Mason Mount – bought at great expense over the summer – has been largely ineffective, due to inhabiting one of the very few positions within the squad where United were already well-stocked. 

Up front meanwhile, Rashford, Hojlund, Antony, Martial and Garnacho have played a combined 2212 minutes of Premier League football going into the Fulham game. They have scored precisely one goal between them. 

Given the steep cost of Hojlund and Antony and the manner in which they are failing to light up Old Trafford, poor recruitment is another stick to beat the Dutchman with, but in all honesty we’re way past that point now anyway.

For Manchester United are deeply entrenched in crisis and Ten Hag’s job is on the line. Those are the only truths that matter ahead of a crucial and defining week. 

Beyond that, it’s just a question of time.

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*

We are all by now acutely aware of the unprecedented strategies being implemented at Chelsea, post-Roman Abramovich. 

With the American billionaire Todd Boehly at the helm it has become normal practice to place players on seven or eight year contracts, to better navigate Financial Fair Play regulations. 

Furthermore, the club has embarked on an accelerated – not to mention ludicrously expensive – overhaul of an aging squad, selling or releasing a remarkable 14 players this summer alone, all while splurging over a billion pounds on a multitude of new arrivals.

There have been twenty-six signings to be precise, spread over three windows, and not including free transfers. There is also a high turnover of managers to consider too. 

All of which is to say – with some understatement – that since the Boehly-led consortium took control of the West London giants for the sum of £4.25 billion in May 2022, an awful lot has happened in a very quick period of time, with Chelsea now a completely different incarnation to what it recently was.

It has at times been hard to keep up. 

Regarding the contract lengths, and indeed the sheer scale of Chelsea’s expenditure, it is telling that financial analysts who know best about such things consider the model high risk, and likely doomed to fail in the long-term.

And on these matters it is probably wise to bow to their learned judgements.

When we turn to the team itself however, along with the appointment late-May of Mauricio Pochettino, it is possible for us all to make a considered assessment as to how the ambitious project is going. Moreover, to gauge – on the evidence put before us so far – its chances of ultimately succeeding. 

We are, after all, deeply entrenched in autumn so even at this early stage, hints have become clues, some substantial. 

The first of which is a sizable one in importance, that being Chelsea’s fading hopes of securing a Champions League spot come May. 

With so many new players to assimilate into a squad that Pochettino himself is having to adapt to, understandably the Argentine has found it difficult to settle on an ideal starting eleven to date, using 23 different players just ten games in. 

Granted, this is the same number as Arsenal but whereas Mikel Arteta is deploying the full extent of his squad with European commitments to juggle – and crucially while knowing the strengths and character of each and every one of his players – with Pochettino there is a distinct air of trial and error about his selections.

He is trying things out. He is learning about the personnel he has at his disposal and how they respond in a thousand different situations.

Meanwhile, as this experimentation is ongoing Chelsea’s rivals are pulling well clear as the defeats rack up. Presently the Blues’ Premier League top four odds can be described as distant, almost double that of Aston Villa’s.  

They have won just three in ten, enduring their worst start for 15 years. 

It simply cannot be under-estimated how critical it is that Boehly’s model brings in Champions League money sooner rather than later, but looking at the squad what is most striking is how potential has been prioritised over finished articles. 

This again takes us back to the model overall being extremely high risk, as well as just plain baffling in some respects. Chelsea need results now but have wholly invested in the future. 

Cole Palmer, a £45m purchase on transfer deadline day epitomises this contradiction perfectly. 

The 21-year-old has the creative chops and promise to become a superstar one day, and for sure has already shown glimpses of his supreme ability at the Bridge. But Chelsea need a superstar right now, a proven elite talent who can influence proceedings week in, week out, from August through to May.

Just behind the former Manchester City prodigy, we find a midfield packed with brilliant youngsters but therein lies its own problem. Because all they have are brilliant youngsters. 

In years to come it is reasonable to expect Enzo Fernandes competing for the loftiest individual merits, and for Moises Caicedo to boss Premier League centre-circles. 

But is it realistic to think that a midfield roster with an average age of 21.8 years can consistently negotiate the toughest challenges that are thrown up regularly in the Premier League?

Where is the experience? Where is the nous? Frankly, it was sold off last summer.

Yet it is up front where the biggest concerns lie.

Mykhailo Mudryk has flattered to deceive as much as he has impressed. Raheem Sterling’s impact depends on a career rejuvenation, something that cannot be replied upon.

Nicolas Jackson meanwhile has the weight of the world on his young shoulders, and boy is it showing.

From Chelsea’s cornucopia of signings a good manager such as Pochettino should be able to forge a decent side with a clear identity, but he needs a good deal of time to do this. 

And time is something neither he, nor the club, has in spades. 

So is this extraordinary project doomed to fail after all? Frustratingly, they appear to have all the right ingredients to become a major force again, but by throwing too many of them into a mixing bowl all at once we’re in danger of being served up a major mess. 

And in the context of the football betting, their lengthy odds to achieve top four only mirrors their distant chance of lasting the course.

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*

Rennes vs PSG: Bet Preview

• Rennes to win or draw
• Rennes -1
• Rennes to win and over 2.5 total goals

Rennes vs PSG

Hammered by Newcastle in the north east on Wednesday night, PSG are back in league action on Sunday as they make the trip to face Rennes. As ever, Les Parisiens are Ligue 1 betting favourites for this fixture, despite winning just three of their first seven league fixtures under Luis Enrique.

Rennes are one of two unbeaten teams in the topflight of French football. A draw specialist in the early going, Rennes only recorded their second win of the season last time out, and then fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Villarreal in the Europa League on Thursday.

Following the loss at St James’ Park, Enrique took responsibility for PSG’s defeat, and seemed keen to defend any criticisms of his players.

"I am primarily responsible for the result. The first and last person responsible.

“There was no problem with the attitude of my players. Maybe you saw a different game. The attitude was optimal. The result is fair, but the score is excessive. I'm happy with what the players did, apart from in the last thirty metres. They did what I expected of them…

"We've played two games and we're in second place. It's an interesting group. I congratulate Newcastle, who of course deserved their win, but as I said, the result is a bit excessive and doesn't reflect the difference between the two teams. We need to improve a few things going forward."

It doesn’t get much easier for PSG here, however. Rennes have been their bogey side in recent years, doing the league double over the champions in 2022-23. PSG have won just one of their last five against Les Rouge et Noirs.

With the last few seasons of results in their favour and an impressive unbeaten record to start the season, punters are inevitably going to be tempted by Rennes to avoid defeat, and understandably so. 
 

Bet on PSG with 888Sport

Fancy PSG to finally get their hands on the Champions League in 2024?

From Champions League outright odds to upcoming Ligue 1 matches, 888Sport have you covered this season. Bet on PSG to win the Champions League with 888Sport.

PSG Club History

PSG haven’t always been favourites in Ligue 1 odds. Founded as recently as 1970, the club from the capital was an ambitious venture from two businessmen.

Upon receiving advice from Real Madrid president Santiago Bernabeu, they crowd-funded to get the club up and running, and it became the first French team ever to have fans contribute to the start-up finances.

The early years were blighted by financial struggle and inconsistent performance on the pitch.

Naturally, a new team in Paris attracted a lot of interest from investors and fans alike, and they became more competitive in the 1980s, ultimately winning their first league title under the leadership of Gerard Houllier in 1985-86.

Difficult seasons followed, however, before the club again became a force to be reckoned with in the 1990s after being bought by TV network Canal+.

Investment into the first-team squad followed, and Les Parisiens finished in the top three in five consecutive seasons in the 90s, including a title win in 1993-94.

It was a glamourous club at this point, with world stars like George Weah and David Ginola lighting up the French capital.

Trophies were accumulated throughout this period, but it was short-lived. Financial strife returned before the turn of the century.

Ronaldinho brought a sprinkling of magic, and a few domestic trophies were won, but PSG were a long way from competing in the league.

Canal+ sold the club in 2006, and it changed hands again five years later with Qatari Sports Investment injecting historic sums into the team.

This sparked a period of unprecedented dominance. PSG won seven out of eight league titles in the 2010s, and continued to throw money at their team, including the world-record signing of Neymar and the acquisition of Kylian Mbappe from Monaco.

PSG Honours List

• Ligue 1 – 1985-86, 1993-94, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2021-22, 2022-23

• Ligue 2 – 1970-71

• Coupe de France – 1981-82, 1982-83, 1992-93, 1994-95, 1997-98, 2003-04, 2005-06, 2009-10, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2019-20, 2020-21

• Coupe de la Ligue – 1994-95, 1997-98, 2007-08, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2019-20

• UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup – 1995-96

• UEFA Intertoto Cup – 2001

PSG Competitions This Season

There is no shortage of PSG options if you’re looking to bet on football.

Luis Enrique's side began their Ligue 1 title defence against Lorient on August 12th.

The most successful team in Coupe de France history, having lifted the trophy 14 times, Galtier will be aiming to take the club to their eighth consecutive Coupe de France final in 2023.

PSG suffered yet another Champions League collapse in 2022-23, but they have another shot at European glory in 2023-24. They will find out their group stage opponents later this month.