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Preview: West Bromwich Albion vs. Sheffield United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Premier League clash between West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

West Bromwich Albion welcome Sheffield United to The Hawthorns on Saturday night in a battle between the Premier League's bottom two.

The winless sides have collected just four points from a possible 54 between them and are both in desperate need of a victory to kickstart their campaign.

United are the side propping up the division with a solitary point to their name, with Albion only marginally better off in 19th.


Match preview

West Bromwich Albion manager Slaven Bilic pictured in November 2020© Reuters

Nine games into the season and West Brom are still seeking their first victory since returning to this level, with their three points thus far coming from draws.

Since picking up the last of those points in a 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion on October 26, Slaven Bilic's side have lost to Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

The Baggies have failed to score in all three of those defeats and have just six goals to their name all season, yet that is still two more than opponents Sheffield United.

Bilic was furious on the back of his side's loss at Old Trafford last weekend in a controversial game that was ultimately settled by a retaken Bruno Fernandes penalty.

It puts even more pressure on this clash with United as Albion aim to avoid failing to win any of their first 10 league games to a season for just a second time in their history.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder pictured on November 22, 2020© Reuters

The same is true for the Blades, of course, as they are also without a win from their nine matches and have avoided defeat just once so far - a 1-1 draw with Fulham last month.

Indeed, should this match finish level, it will be only the third time in Premier League history that two sides have failed to win any of their first 10 fixtures.

Chris Wilder's side have lost four in a row since that Fulham draw, although three of those matches were against Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea.

Last week's home clash with West Ham United was certainly winnable, but the blunt Blades failed to find a way through and Sebastien Haller's long-ranger settled the game.

While Sheff Utd have the worst goals-for tally in the division, however, no team has shipped more than West Brom's 18, perhaps giving Wilder's men a glimmer of hope.

West Bromwich Albion Premier League form: LDDLLL

Sheffield United Premier League form: LDLLLL


Team News

Lys Mousset celebrates scoring for Sheffield United against Arsenal on October 21, 2019© Reuters

West Brom have question marks over the availability of Kieran Gibbs and Jake Livermore, who both tested positive for coronavirus ahead of last week's loss to Man Utd.

Sam Field is Albion's only other fitness doubt, with Hal Robson-Kanu and Callum Robinson now back available for selection once again.

Bilic used a back five for tough games against Tottenham and Man Utd but may be tempted to revert back to a 4-5-1 this weekend in a game that his side really have to win.

As for the visitors, they have been boosted by the return of Lys Mousset following a couple of months on the sidelines.

Enda Stevens is another who may be welcomed back for this trip to the West Midlands, but Ethan Ampadu is doubtful after limping off against West Ham.

Summer signing Rhian Brewster has been working his way back to full fitness and may start this game, but David McGoldrick and Oli McBurnie are more likely to lead the line.

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Johnstone; Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, Townsend; Pereira, Sawyers, Krovinovic, Gallagher, Diangana; Grant

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; Basham, Egan, Robinson; Baldock, Berge, Norwood, Fleck, Lowe; McBurnie, McGoldrick


SM words green background

We say: West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Sheffield United

This really is a massive match in what is the first ever Premier League encounter between these sides, making it the 885th different fixture to be played in the competition.

Neither team can buy a win at the moment and, while the stats offer some hope to both managers, we are backing this one to finish in a score draw - a result that will suit neither.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Away:data



Video prediction

Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below:


ID:423825:cQx

Who will win Saturday's Premier League clash between West Brom and Sheff Utd?

West Bromwich Albion
41.0%
Draw
38.7%
Sheffield United
20.3%
256
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Lys Mousset celebrates scoring for Sheffield United against Arsenal on October 21, 2019
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Lys Mousset and John Fleck nearing returns for Sheffield United
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rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1384129191028
2Tottenham HotspurSpurs1374225121325
3Southampton137332518724
4Leicester CityLeicester138052417724
5Everton137242318523
6Chelsea1364326141222
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham136342116521
8Manchester CityMan City125521812620
9Manchester UnitedMan Utd116231917220
10Wolverhampton WanderersWolves136251317-420
11Aston Villa106042113818
12Crystal Palace135351918118
13Leeds UnitedLeeds135262224-217
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125251621-517
15Arsenal134271116-514
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton132561521-611
17Fulham132381222-109
18Burnley11236618-129
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom131481026-167
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd120111521-161

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