Relegation-battling Sheffield United host top-six chasing West Ham at Bramall Lane.
Sheffield Utd will stay rock bottom regardless of their result, whilst West Ham can stay sixth in the table with a win.
Team News
Sheffield Utd could welcome Anel Ahmedhodzic, George Baldock and Auston Trusty back into contention, after the defensive trio weren’t risked in the Blades’ FA Cup Third Round win at Gillingham a fortnight ago.
Jayden Bogle (concussion), Max Lowe (knock) and Tom Davies (thigh) could feature if declared fit for selection.
Yasser Larouci, Anis Ben Slimane (both international duty), Chris Basham (ankle), John Egan (foot) and Daniel Jebbison (illness) are still sidelined.
West Ham could welcome Edson Alvarez back into contention after he missed their FA Cup exit at Bristol City with a calf injury.
Said Benrahma is suspended after he was red carded during the Third Round replay at Ashton Gate.
Pablo Fornals (foot) and Jarrod Bowen (knee) are doubts but Lucas Paqueta (calf), Mohammed Kudus, Nayef Aguerd (both international) and Michail Antonio (knee) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Sheffield Utd host West Ham at Bramall Lane on Sunday 21 January in a 2pm GMT kick-off, live on TNT Sport 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sheffield Utd have won one of their last five league meetings against West Ham (W1, D1, L3).
- West Ham have claimed seven points from their last five league visits to Sheffield Utd (W2, D1, L2).
- Sheffield Utd have conceded six goals in their last three meetings against West Ham without scoring.
- Chris Wilder’s Blades have scored the joint-most own goals in the league this season alongside Fulham, with both teams having netted three own-goals apiece.
- No West Ham player has received more progressive passes than Jarrod Bowen (107).
Prediction
Currently eight points adrift of safety and having stuck around in the cold of Yorkshire during their winter break, Sheffield Utd hopefully have worked on their defensive resilience because that aspect has cost them too many games so far despite recent improvement.
Chris Wilder’s Blades however don’t have that firepower up front either so I do feel like they must score first here, especially if they want a chance at three vital points to boost their survival hopes.
West Ham meanwhile can’t be any more bereft of creativity and end product than they were in their FA Cup exit at Bristol City, because they looked uncharacteristically a shadow of their best without Bowen and Paqueta in the team which is a worry.
I however do expect them to learn from that experience and come out fighting particularly if want to keep pace with those above them, especilly if a chance at a top-four finish opens up in coming weeks but they will need to deal with the Blades’ improved defensive determination.
Prediction: Sheffield United 0-1 West Ham
Result: Sheffield United 2-2 West Ham
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