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West Ham United will continue their push for a top six finish when they travel to Bramall Lane this Sunday. They could scarcely ask for kinder opposition. The Blades are sat rock bottom of the league table with nine points from their 20 games, and they have picked up just two points against top half opposition from 33 available and sit bottom of the xGF and xGA tables.
Yet they have shown signs of fight under Chris Wilder and face a West Ham United side in good form but weakened by AFCON and injury, making this an interesting match-up. Can the Hammers repeat their 2-0 win at the end of September? We will find out.
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SHEFField united VS WEST HAM PREDICTED LINEUPS
Diaz may make Blades debut
Chris Wilder is making do with what he has at present with a number of players rested for the 4-0 win at Gillingham a couple of weeks back. John Egan remains absent so Jack Robinson is likely to continue in the middle of the back three. There could be a first start for Ben Brereton Diaz after returning to England from Spain, albeit he may be eased back in following a tough spell.
Moyes has big decisions
West Ham’s rise has been largely down to consistency – David Moyes hasn’t had to change his XI too often. He’s now without Nayef Aguerd and Mohammed Kudus thanks to AFCON while Kurt Zouma and Lucas Paqueta will miss out with injury. Jarrod Bowen may return and it could be required with Said Benrahma suspended after a needless red card against Bristol City.
SHEFField united VS WEST HAM TEAM STATS
Blades are blunt in attack and sharp in the tackle
Chris Wilder’s number one priority has to be making Sheffield United more competitive. They have managed 1 xG or higher just twice in their last eight matches and they’ve managed three or more shots on target in just seven of their 20 league outings. They have conceded 10 or more shots in every league game and five or more shots on target in seven of their 10 at home. At least they stick a foot in – they have committed 11 or more fouls in 9 of 10 at home.
Hammers give up plenty
West Ham have taken to the field 20 times in the Premier League – only 7 of 40 teams on any given day have walked away creating less than 1 xG. It’s little wonder 13 of their first 15 matches saw both sides score. They do give up a lot – the Hammers have conceded 10 or more shots in 19 Premier League matches and three or more shots on target in 17, including four or more in nine of ten on the road.
SHEFField united VS WEST HAM SHOTS AND SHOTS ON TARGET stats
Can Archer find the target?
As above, Sheffield United have been blunt this season. They will be hoping Chilean sensation Ben Brereton Diaz can add some vigour should he play but for now, Cameron Archer looks to be the biggest threat. The ex-Aston Villa forward has managed two or more shots in all six starts under Chris Wilder and can be backed at 1.29 to have two or 2.0 to have three – worth noting given West Ham’s propensity for conceding shots at goal.
Bowen remains the key man
It’s plausible that Jarrod Bowen returns here and there will be a big reliance on him if that is the case. He has had a shot on target in 15 of his 19 Premier League starts and can be backed at 1.4 to do that again against a Blades side that have conceded three or more shots on target in every match. Beyond that, we might be looking at Tomas Soucek, who scored in the previous game and is a threat from set-pieces.
SHEFField united VS WEST HAM GOALS AND ASSISTS stats
Blades need someone to step up
Sheffield United are 20 games into the season and their top scorers are Ollie McBurnie and Cameron Archer – they have scored three times. Gustavo Hamer is joint-top of their goal contributions list with four. It’s not a pretty picture. Hamer has assisted in three matches in all competitions under Wilder, potentially making him the man to back at 2.88.
Bowen a good price
Given they are playing bottom of the league table, Jarrod Bowen being 2.3 to score or assist anytime feels a decent price. After all, he has scored 11 times this season and assisted a further two, usually one per game too meaning he has scored or assisted in over half of his league outings. Set-pieces will be seen as important without some of their key forwards so James Ward-Prowse, who has nine goal contributions, might be worth looking at.
SHEFField united CARDS AND FOULS stats
Blades like a foul
Sheffield United like a card and like a foul. They have committed 11 or more in nine of their ten home matches and have a collection of players with a lot of cards. Notably, many of them are in the central defensive areas of the pitch – Jack Robinson and Oliver Norwood have six apiece while Hamer and Anel Ahmedhodzic are on five.
The issue is that West Ham aren’t a particularly kickable team, it seems. Especially without Kudus and Lucas Paqueta in the starting XI. Jarrod Bowen has been fouled in ten of his last 13 and twice or more in seven – plenty for either Robinson or Auston Trusty to get involved in. Tomas Soucek has been fouled in his last four while Emerson has been fouled just over once per 90.
WEST HAM CARDS AND FOULS stats
West Ham full backs uncompromising
On the left side, we have Emerson, who has collected seven yellow cards this season. On the right side, we have Vladimir Coufal, who has committed a foul in 12 of his last 15 matches. West Ham like to keep the opposition out wide, so it makes sense. Inside, Alvarez also has seven yellows while Soucek has committed a foul in six of his last eight appearances.
Like West Ham, Sheffield United aren’t causing too many problems for the opposition as far as decisions are concerned. James McAtee is the clear winner, the Manchester City man has drawn a foul in 12 of his 15 Premier League appearances and two or more in six of his last ten. George Baldock and Cameron Archer are prone to drawing fouls.
SHEFField united VS WEST HAM BET BUILDER TIPS AND PICKS OF THE PACK
We have assembled a four-leg Sheffield United vs West Ham bet builder with our best selections from our stats pack.
Sheffield United vs West Ham
21st January
kick off 14:00 Over 1.5 Goals
Sheffield United have seen over 1.5 goals scored in 18 of 20 Premier League matches.
West Ham United have seen over 1.5 goals scored in 18 of 20 Premier League matches.
Jarrod Bowen 1+ Shots on TargetBowen has had a shot on target in 13 of 17 Premier League matches.
Sheffield United have conceded at least 3 shots on target in every Premier League match.
Cameron Archer 2+ shotsArcher has had 2 or more shots in every league start since Chris Wilder took over.
West Ham have conceded at least 9 shots in every league match.
George Baldock 1+ foulsBaldock has committed a foul in 9 of his 10 Premier League starts.
Sheffield United have committed 11 or more fouls in 9 of 10 Premier League home matches.
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