As the Premier League gears up for another weekend of dramatic football, all eyes are on the upcoming clash at Bramall Lane where Sheffield United faces off against West Ham on the 21st of January. This encounter promises to be a fascinating battle as the hosts look to climb out of the relegation zone, while the visitors aim to consolidate their position in the top half of the table.
Match analysis
Sheffield United, anchored at the bottom of the table at 20th place, come into this match with a concerning lack of form. With only one win in their last five matches and heavy losses to the likes of Burnley and Manchester City, the Blades have struggled to find consistency. Conceding goals has been a considerable problem for Sheffield Utd; they have allowed a concerning tally of 14 goals across their last 10 games while only managing to find the back of the net seven times.
West Ham, by contrast, stands at the 6th position with an impressive string of recent performances. Their overall form has been solid, with three wins in their last five outings and a commendable defensive record, having kept clean sheets against strong sides such as Arsenal and Manchester United. The Hammers managed to score 19 goals in their last 10 matches, showing much better efficiency in front of the goal as compared to their counterparts.
Recent form
Sheffield United's recent form has been a major cause for concern, with a win percentage of only 10% in their last 10 games. Goalscoring has been a rarity for the Blades, as they've only hit the net seven times during this period, resulting in a paltry 0.7 goals per game. On the defensive end, it doesn't get any better, as they have conceded an average of 1.4 goals per game.
West Ham arrives in Sheffield with their confidence high, their win percentage stands at 60% from their last 10 matches, scoring at an average of 1.9 goals per game. Perhaps more importantly, their defensive solidity has been demonstrated by only conceding an average of 0.7 goals per game, which is half the number of goals conceded by Sheffield United in the same period.
Head to head
- West Ham has enjoyed superiority in their recent meetings with Sheffield United.
- The last encounter ended in a 2-0 win for West Ham.
- Sheffield United has failed to score in their last two matches against West Ham.
- Historically, the encounters between the two teams tend to be low-scoring affairs.
- West Ham wins: 60%
- Sheffield Utd wins: 20%
- Draws: 20%
Prediction
Considering the recent form and head-to-head records, the predicted full-time score leans toward West Ham continuing their dominance with a 2-0 win. Betting tips suggest a focus on West Ham in an Asian handicap (-0.5), with the odds likely favoring them given the contrast in form and league standing. Additionally, taking into account the shaky defense of Sheffield United, betting on Over 1.5 goals for West Ham could be worthwhile.
One might also consider the "Both Teams to Score - No" market, as recent games and head-to-head statistics reveal a tendency for one or both teams to keep a clean sheet. Lastly, given the stark differences in both teams' scoring habits, a safe bet could also be placed on West Ham to win either half, as they have demonstrated the ability to control games and score in crucial moments.
All in all, the smart money seems to be backing West Ham to come out on top, potentially accompanied by a clean sheet, in what promises to be a compelling encounter at Bramall Lane.
