Prediction and odds for the game: Sheffield United (17/20) v West Ham (3/1)
We are backing the draw at odds of 13/5.
When: Friday 10th January 2020, Kick-off 8 PM
Where: Bramall Lane
On Friday night, Sheffield United host West Ham at Bramall Lane, as the home side look to move in to the European spots in the Premier League.
Sheffield United
The Blades just keep defying expectations this season. Chris Wilder’s team were amongst the favourites for relegation at the start of the season, yet with more than half the season gone, the Yorkshire outfit are just a point outside the top-six.
Despite their lofty position, the Blades head into this clash on the back of a three-game winless streak in the Premier League, having suffered back-to-back league defeats against league leaders Liverpool and reigning champions Manchester City.
The home side did get back to winning ways at the weekend though, recording a 2-1 FA third round victory over Fylde.
The Blades results on home soil this season have not been great in the Premier League. In fact, they have won just four of their ten league matches at Bramall Lane. They have also won only one of their last four home games in the top-flight.
West Ham
The Hammers are in the midst of something of a revival under new boss David Moyes. The struggling London club recorded a 4-0 win over Bournemouth in the Scot’s first game in charge before winning 2-0 at Gillingham in the FA Cup third round at the weekend.
The aforementioned win over Bournemouth was a much-needed one, as it moved the Irons above the Cherries and out of the relegation zone. They are still only two points above the drop zone, but the win has certainly offered everybody connected with the club hope that they can move away from the drop zone.
Their perilous position was mainly due to the fact that the visitors had won just three of their last 14 Premier League games. Not coincidentally, the three wins were the only games in which the Irons had kept clean sheets in that 14-match run.
West Ham have a poor recent away record in the top-flight, winning just two of their last eight matches. Their recent matches on their travels have been relatively low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in five of their last eight matches in the top-flight.
Conclusion
This encounter may have been far different a few weeks ago. The home sides recent form has dipped, albeit it due to a tough schedule of facing the strongest teams in the league away. David Moyes has certainly had a positive impact since his arrival and we are backing the Hammers to earn a draw.
We are also backing the under 2.5 goals, as neither team is prolific in front of goal and the team’s respective home and away games have been low-scoring.
Verdict: We are backing the draw at odds of 13/5 and/or under 2.5 goals scored at odds of 4/5. (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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Who will come out on top between the Blades and the Irons?
