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NederlandWest Ham United play host to Sheffield United on Monday evening looking to remain in the top six of the Premier League standings.
Despite making the trip to the London Stadium in bottom spot, the visitors have won three of their last six fixtures in the top flight.
Match preview
© Reuters
Having taken Manchester United to extra time in the FA Cup on Tuesday night, West Ham boss David Moyes would have been frustrated that his side were eventually eliminated from the competition.
However, the Scot will also be happy to have extra rest periods later in the campaign, something which could benefit the Hammers in their bid to finish in the top six.
With 15 matches still remaining and the teams below them having games in hand, West Ham are still outsiders for European qualification despite their recent run of four wins from six games.
There was disappointment in only securing a goalless draw at Fulham last weekend, a result initially made worse by the late dismissal of key midfielder Tomas Soucek.
Successfully overturning that decision could prove significant in the short term, with the Czech Republic international having scored three times in his last five appearances.
Despite remaining 12 points adrift of safety, Sheffield United currently find themselves in ninth position in the form table, highlighting that luck is finally going the way of Chris Wilder's side.
The Blades have not always got what they have deserved this season having regularly missed out by a one-goal margin, but there are signs that they can still pull off a miraculous escape.
Even in defeat against Chelsea last weekend, Sheffield United were in the game right until the full-time whistle, almost snatching what would have been a deserved equaliser with the last kick of the game.
Unless West Bromwich Albion avoid defeat against Manchester United on Sunday, a draw would be enough to take Sheffield United off the bottom of the table for the first time since the early weeks of the season.
West Ham United Premier League form: WWWLWD
West Ham United form (all competitions): WWLWDL
Sheffield United Premier League form: WLWLWL
Sheffield United form (all competitions): WWLWLW
Team News
© Reuters
Wilder could recall Oliver Burke and Oliver McBurnie after they impressed against Chelsea last weekend.
Oliver Norwood may also return to feature in central midfield, leaving David McGoldrick, Rhian Brewster and Billy Sharp to only be named on the substitutes' bench.
Declan Rice could drop back into the centre of West Ham's defence with Angelo Ogbonna, Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena all major doubts for this game.
Jesse Lingard will return after missing out against parent club Man United, while Michail Antonio is expected to feature in attack.
West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Rice, Cresswell; Noble, Soucek; Bowen, Lingard, Benrahma; Antonio
Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; Basham, Egan, Ampadu; Lowe, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Bogle; McGoldrick, McBurnie
We say: West Ham United 2-1 Sheffield United
With Sheffield United on the up, we are expecting a competitive encounter to play out at the London Stadium. However, West Ham's extra quality in the final third could shine through in the latter stages as they gamble on pushing for all three points, a potentially decisive return in the race for the European places.
