Sheffield United host West Bromwich Albion following two difficult away trips to the two Manchester clubs, United and City. A victory over the Baggies would put them in good stead to perform a miracle great escape from relegation into the Championship.
West Brom, themselves, know what it is like to perform a great escape, bottom at Christmas and looked down and out, before, somehow, surviving the drop on the final day of the season. This was achieved during the 2004-05 campaign, under then-boss Bryan Robson. Can the Blades mirror this achievement?
Chris Wilder’s Blades side come into this fixture having won four out of their last six matches, in all competitions. They pulled out a surprise result last Wednesday night with a 2-1 win at Manchester United, with goals from Kean Bryan and Oliver Burke. That victory was followed up with a 1-0 defeat at league leaders Manchester City. Gabriel Jesus netted the decisive goal after 9 minutes. Despite the result, it was a promising performance against an overwhelming City who enjoyed 75% possession but was limited to five shots on target. Against a less challenging side, United might have achieved more.
The last two games have seen the Blades adopt a 5-3-2 formation, which is much different from the wing-back system supporters have been a custom to for the last four and a half years of Mr Wilder’s tenure but it has helped limit the number of goals conceded in the last few games.
The boss has experienced the difficulty of naming a fully fit side all season and hosts relegation rivals West Brom with a list of injuries. United are without long-term casualties Jack O’Connell (knee), and Sander Berge (thigh). They are also without Jack Robinson, as well as Ben Osborn and Enda Stevens (all knocks).
Midfielder Oliver Norwood picked up his fifth booking of the season and is likely to serve a one-match suspension against the Baggies and be available for this weekend’s s home fixture with Chelsea.
Past Premier League Results… vs. WBA
2020/21 – Hawthorns (L 0-1)
Forthcoming Blades Fixtures;
*All fixtures are subject to change
06 Feb – Chelsea (h) – 15:00
13 Feb – West Ham United (a) – 15:00
20 Feb – Fulham (a) – 15:00
27 Feb – Liverpool (h) – 15:00
06 Mar – Southampton (h) – 15:00
13 Mar – Leicester City (a) – 15:00
20 Mar– Aston Villa (h) – 15:00
03 Apr – Leeds United (a) – 15:00
10 Apr – Arsenal (h) – 15:00
17 Apr – Wolverhampton Wanderers (a) – 15:00
24 Apr – Brighton & Hove Albion (h) – 15:00
01 May – Tottenham Hotspur (a) – 15:00
08 May – Crystal Palace (h) – 15:00
11 May – Everton (a) – 19:45
15 May – Newcastle United (a) – 15:00
23 May – Burnley (h) – 16:00