Spurs v Sheffield United – the stats
Ahead of Sunday’s visit of Sheffield United (7.15pm kick-off), we take a look at the key statistics behind the game.
The Blades in N17
Having taken all three points in the first meeting between the sides this season - a 3-1 triumph at Bramall Lane in January - we could complete a league double over the Blades for the first time in 45 years with victory on Sunday evening. Not since the 1975/76 campaign have we won both our home and away league fixtures against United. That term we earned a 2-1 win at Bramall Lane in the December before storming to a 5-0 victory at White Hart Lane three months later.
Interim Head Coach Ryan Mason, meanwhile, could become just the fourth Spurs manager to win each of his first two Premier League games in charge with victory on Sunday. Having overseen our recent 2-1 triumph over Southampton, Ryan would join Glenn Hoddle, Mauricio Pochettino and Jose Mourinho in the exclusive club if he can lead us to a further three points on Sunday. And there is precedent to suggest that could be on the cards.
The Blades have never beaten us in a Premier League match in N17. From four attempts, they have picked up two points following two draws and two defeats. The last time they got the better of us in north London was 30 years ago, back in November, 1991.
They are also yet to win a Premier League game in London this season, losing all five. In fact, not since February, 2020, have they been victorious in the capital. It is now just one win in their last 25 trips to London in the league.
Home and away
In recent weeks, we have enjoyed our home comforts. In our last five Premier League games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, we have taken maximum points on four occasions (wins against West Bromwich Albion, Burnley, Crystal Palace and Southampton). Meanwhile we have been on target in each of our last 10 outings in the top flight - the longest current run of any side in the division. Not to mention that we have also scored in 17 of our last 18 home games against Sunday’s opponents Sheffield United in all competitions.
The Blades, meanwhile, have won just five of their 35 away games since they returned to the top flight in 2019. After their first nine games on the road, they had remained unbeaten, however, from their last 22 away games, they have picked up just a single victory. This season they have lost 88 per cent of their away fixtures (14 out of 16). That includes each of their last six – a run they have scored just once in.
Finding the target
On Tuesday night, Harry Kane was named the London Football Awards’ ‘Premier League Player of the Year for 2020/21’ in recognition of his outstanding campaign in the competition. The striker has been exceptional for us this season and that reflects in his statistics as he currently leads in both the goals and assists charts in England’s top flight with 21 and 13 to his name, respectively. That means our number 10 has been involved in an impressive 34 goals in just 30 appearances this term - only in the 2016/17 season has he been involved in more (36 - 29 goals, seven assists). He has scored in each of his last two Premier League games against Sheffield United and also has 12 goals in his last 14 appearances against Yorkshire-based outfits.
Heung-Min Son, meanwhile, also has a good record when it comes to facing the Blades as he has been involved in a goal in each of his three appearances against them (one goal, two assists).
In between the sticks for Sheffield United this season has been England Under-21 international Aaron Ramsdale, and the goalkeeper could pick up an unwanted record this weekend. Currently, the shot stopper has failed to keep a clean sheet in any of his last 26 away starts in the Premier League. If he concedes against us on Sunday, that will see the former Bournemouth man equal Russell Hoult’s long-standing record of 27 consecutive away starts without a clean sheet.
