West Brom vs Sheffield United predictions: Blades’ injuries offer Baggies a chance
- Sheffield United are without Anel Ahmedhodzic and Harry Souttar due to suspension
- Three of West Brom’s last four have seen both teams find the net
- Recommended bet: Both teams to score
Two promotion rivals clash in Sunday’s big game in the Championship, as Sheffield United take on West Brom at The Hawthorns.
The Blades put themselves top of the table with a 1-0 victory over Sunderland at the end of November, while the Baggies were seventh heading into this weekend after drawing for the ninth time in their last 10 matches at Preston last time out.
Sunday's clash is between a West Brom side unbeaten in 10 against and a Blades outfit who have won six of their last seven, suggesting there’s little between the pair.
Team news
The big news heading into this game is that Sheffield United are missing their starting centre-half duo of Anel Ahmedhodzic and Harry Souttar.
With little in the way of cover, Chris Wilder has a big decision to make. Chelsea loanee Alfie Gilchrist is expected to shift over from right-back, but that is far from an ideal solution.
Mikey Johnstone is expected to return to the West Brom side and that is a real boost to their creativity.
Manager Carlos Corberan is expected to switch to a 4-2-3-1 system to reintegrate him as a number 10.
The stats
Sheffield United have scored in each of their last seven matches.
The Blades are significantly overperforming their Expected Goals Against numbers, conceding nine times despite an xGA of 16.1.
West Brom also create better chances than their return suggests, having scored three goals fewer than their xG of 22.
The Blades have won one of four visits to sides in the top 10, keeping one clean sheet.
West Brom have lost the xG battle in five of their last six fixtures.
Only four sides have made more crosses into the box than West Brom this season.
Prediction
Having drawn nine of their last 10 games, West Brom have picked up a reputation for being a cagey side. Corberan’s outfit have struggled to maintain their unbeaten run of late, as they have been outplayed in xG terms in five of their last six games.
However, there are reasons to be optimistic ahead of Sunday’s huge game. Sheffield United’s defensive issues offer the Baggies a route to goal, especially given the hosts’ quality out wide.
Only four sides have managed to cross the ball into the box more frequently than West Brom. With the Blades set to lack height at the back, that is an area where the Baggies can benefit.
The Blades’ brilliant defensive record is also worth a look, as they have conceded nine goals despite an xG against of 16.1. The visitors have failed to keep clean sheets in three of their four visits to sides in the top 10, so they should be defensively vulnerable without their two starting centre-halves.
The Blades have scored in each of their last seven games, and there is little reason to suggest they will struggle on that front on Sunday. West Brom’s recent performances suggest the Blades will also get plenty of opportunities, so both teams to score is the standout selection.
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