Chris Wilder says Bramall Lane games do give Sheffield United an advantage in football's new normal

It was one of the quirks of Germany's restarted Bundesliga season that in matches played behind closed doors, teams performed better away from home.
HOME: Sheffield United looked much improved at Bramall Lane in the FA CupHOME: Sheffield United looked much improved at Bramall Lane in the FA Cup
HOME: Sheffield United looked much improved at Bramall Lane in the FA Cup

But as his side prepares for a first Premier League game at Bramall Lane since March 7, manager Chris Wilder insists his side does feel a home advantage.

The Blades returned to their historic ground for an FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal and although they suffered a third consecutive defeat, it was narrow, arguably undeserved, and certainly their best performance since the coronavirus lockdown.

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So with home games against Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Chelsea and Everton to come, Wilder is determined to take full advantage.

“Playing at Bramall Lane (on Sunday) helped and even having more of you (media) lads around, even though the restrictions are in place,” he said. “Getting back to Bramall Lane was good, the familiarity. Even though it wasn’t as good as having the fans there.

“Would I rather be at home, of course? But we are looking forward to every game and we’ve really enjoyed the experience (of playing in the Premier League).

“There were encouraging signs (against Arsenal). Our players are giving everything. They are just suffering from a dip in form and serving up some nice opportunities which Premier League teams are going to take.

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“I’m disappointed we’ve slipped a little bit in terms of position (from seventh to ninth since the resumption), but the players are okay and in a decent enough place.”

In Germany only 17 out of 82 matches were won by the away team when the league was completed after the covid-19 lockdown, but in England's top two divisions the figure was already 20 from 57 matches as of Wednesday morning.

Thursday night's game against Tottenham is important because despite a difficult restart yielding only one point (against Aston Villa), victory will move them above Spurs and Sunday's hosts Burnley into seventh with six matches to play.

Clubs should have a better idea on July 13 as to where they need to finish to qualify for Europe. That is when a decision is expected on Manchester City's appeal against a two-year ban from Uefa competitions is expected to be held.

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If City are unable to play in next season's Champions League, the team finishing fifth in the Premier League would qualify. Sixth and seventh, plus either the team finishing eighth or Arsenal if they won the FA Cup without qualifying through the league.

Arsenal and Sheffield United are the only teams yet to play at home in the resumed Premier League. Both Tottenham's matches so far have been played at their new north London ground.

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