Sheff Utd vs West Ham predictions: Depleted Hammers could be vulnerable
- Sheffield United have picked up seven of their nine points at home this season
- West Ham have kept clean sheets in each of their last four league matches
- Recommended bet: Draw
Sheffield United start the weekend eight points from safety and the Premier League's bottom club are desperate to add to a meagre tally of nine points from 20 games this season.
Seven of those points have been earned at Bramall Lane, where Chris Wilder's men face a West Ham side missing several important players due to injury and international duty.
The Hammers have not conceded a goal in their last four league fixtures, including impressive wins over Wolves, Manchester United and Arsenal, but they were dumped out of the FA Cup by Championship side Bristol City in Tuesday's replay.
Team news
Sheffield United's Anis Ben Slimane and Yasser Larouci are at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Chris Basham, John Egan and Max Lowe are injured and defenders Anel Ahmedhodzic, Auston Trusty and George Baldock will be assessed.
West Ham are hoping to welcome back top goalscorer Jarrod Bowen, although Lucas Paqueta and Michail Antonio are both ruled out through injury,
Said Benrahma is suspended and Nayef Aguerd and Mohammed Kudus are on international duty, which could see Danny Ings given a rare start up front.
The stats
Sheffield United have lost three of their last six Premier League games by a 2-0 scoreline.
The Blades have picked up seven of their nine points at home this season.
Both teams have scored in only two of Sheffield United's last eight matches.
West Ham's last five matches have all ended with under 2.5 goals.
The Hammers have won five of their last nine away games in the league.
West Ham have kept clean sheets in each of their last four league matches.
Prediction
Sheffield United have had a two-week break since their morale-boosting 4-0 win over Gillingham in the FA Cup and they are capable of troubling favourites West Ham at Bramall Lane on Sunday.
The Hammers, who beat Wolves 3-0, Manchester United 2-0 and Arsenal 2-0 before a goalless draw with Brighton in their last Premier League match, are 25 points better off than the Blades after 20 games of the season.
However, manager David Moyes is missing some outstanding talents, including forwards Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus, and there is a significant drop-off from West Ham's first XI to their understudies.
Said Benrahma is suspended after his red card in Tuesday's 1-0 FA Cup replay defeat at Bristol City and top scorer Jarrod Bowen will be assessed after suffering an ankle injury in the original tie with the Robins, which finished 1-1 at the London Stadium.
The draw is an appealing bet this weekend as Blades boss Wilder has had plenty of time on the training ground to sharpen up his players and the jaded Hammers could struggle to break down their hosts.
Sheffield United's last five league results include a 1-0 home win over Brentford, a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa and a 3-2 defeat to Luton, in which they led 2-1 before scoring two late own goals, so they could prove awkward opponents for West Ham.
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