Sheffield United welcome West Bromwich Albion to Bramall Lane in a huge midweek clash at the foot of the Premier League table.
Chris Wilder’s Blades can move to within a point of the Baggies with victory despite staying rock-bottom, whereas West Brom can move above Fulham into 18th with a win and put seven points between them and Sheffield Utd.
Team News
Sheffield Utd have no fresh injury concerns to report after Saturday’s defeat at Manchester City.
Ben Osborn, Enda Stevens (all knock), Jack Robinson (unspecified), Sander Berge (hamstring) and Jack O’Connell (knee) are all sidelined.
West Brom have no fresh injury concerns to report with Grady Diangana set to return from a hamstring injury, after he was left out of Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Fulham.
Stat Attack
- Sheffield United have won just one of last five meetings against West Brom (W1, D1, L3).
- West Brom have taken just four points from their last five trips to Bramall Lane (W1,D1, L3).
- Chris Wilder’s Blades have taken just a point from two meetings against their relegation zone rivals this season, drawing 1-1 at home to Fulham in October.
- 13 of West Brom’s 17 league goals this season have come from inside the box.
- No Sheffield United player this season has made more interceptions than the 39 interceptions made by Chris Basham in 21 league appearances.
Prediction
Saturday’s trip to Man City was always going to be difficult for Sheffield Utd but the team produced a brilliant hard-working defensive performance and made the effort to pounce on loose balls in order to make crucial clearances, whilst also taking their chances well when on the attack but rash indecisions in the end product cost them a point.
West Brom were defensively poor in the first half against Fulham but came out revitalised in the second half with Mbaye Diagne proving a difficult player for Fulham to beat as the Baggies turned things around, although their defence did go AWOL for Ivan Cavaleiro’s equaliser.
Defending and clinical end product to attacks will therefore be key for both teams but I feel like the Blades have found fresh confidence and should have the edge if play like they’ve done in recent weeks.
Prediction: Sheffield United 2-1 WBA
Result: Sheffield United 2-1 WBA
Leave a Reply