West Brom v Sheffield United: Team news, where to watch, lineups, prediction
West Brom will be eager to record the first win of the post-Carlos Corberan era in the Championship clash against Sheffield United.
The Spaniard departed The Hawthorns after Valencia activated his £2.7million release clause [Fabrizio Romano] on Christmas Eve.
Albion fell to a 2-1 loss against Derby County on Boxing Day, 24 hours after Corberan’s departure was finalised, and now interim boss Chris Brunt must prepare to take on the Championship’s second-placed side at Bramall Lane on Sunday (29 December).
Preview
Corberan will be unveiled to the Spanish press as the new Valencia head coach on Saturday (28 December), but there is no time to dwell on his Baggies exit.
The post-Corberan hangover was in full effect at Pride Park as Mason Holgate converted the ball into his own net to secure a victory for the hosts.
Albion have fallen out of the playoff spots after two defeats in the last three matches and sit two points adrift of sixth-placed Watford, who boast a game in hand.
A defeat at Bramall Lane would add insult to injury for the Baggies as Premier League outfit Everton have been touted to test the waters for Tom Fellows in the January transfer window amid all the uncertainty at The Hawthorns.
However, the attention must turn to ending 2024 on a positive note and, with Chris Wilder reeling off a 2-0 loss against Burnley, Albion can go one better than the 2-2 draw between the sides last time out and head into the New Year with three points on the board.
Form Guide [Championship]
Sheffield United: LWWWD
West Brom: LWLWD
Head-to-Head [all competitions]
West Brom 2-2 Sheffield United (8 December, 2024)
Sheffield United 2-0 West Brom (26 April, 2023)
West Brom 0-2 Sheffield United (29 October, 2022)
West Brom 1-0 Sheffield United (11 August, 2022)
Sheffield United 2-0 West Brom (9 February, 2022)
Team News for Sheffield United v West Brom
Callum Styles and Karlan Grant returned to the pitch during the 2-1 loss against Derby County, and the pair will be available for selection this weekend.
Brunt will be without the usual suspects, with Semi Ajayi and Daryl Dike long-term absentees, but has no fresh injury concerns heading to South Yorkshire.
Wilder confirmed Harry Souttar is a doubt to face the Baggies on Sunday as the Blades struggle with injury and fitness concerns.
Rhys Norrington-Davies is suffering from illness, while Rhian Brewster, Vinicius Souza and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi are struggling with fitness.
Predicted lineups for Sheffield United v West Brom
Sheffield United: Cooper, Gilchrist, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Burrows, O’Hare, Peck, Davies, Hamer, Brewster, Moore
West Brom: Palmer, Furlong, Holgate, Heggem, Styles, Mowatt, Molumby, Fellows, Diangana, Johnston, Maja
Betting Odds
Sheffield United win: 20/21
Draw: 11/5
Albion win: 11/4
Where to watch?
The match at the Bramall Lane kicks off at 12:30pm GMT on 29 December and will be available live on Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports + and available for streaming on the SkyGO and NOWTV apps.
Alternatively, supporters can also listen to commentary on BBC Radio West Midlands.
Prediction: Sheffield United 2-1 West Brom
While the hosts are struggling with injuries heading into the clash, Sheffield United will have too much quality for Albion on the day.
The Baggies are still reeling from the loss of Corberan and, although the players will be eager to impress under Brunt, the challenge at Bramall Lane is a step too far.
Albion will be expected to put up a fight in South Yorkshire and they boast one of the most clinical finishers in the division in Josh Maja, but all roads are leading to another defeat.
In other West Brom news, Baggies fans have been told to expect the unexpected in the search for a new manager.
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