Supercomputer predicts result of West Brom vs Sheffield United clash in Championship
Ryan Mason’s future at West Brom remains on thin ice ahead of a must-win match against Sheffield United on Friday.
West Brom’s 3-2 loss to Southampton on Tuesday was a tale of two halves, and once again, pressure is increasing on Mason to turn things around, with the Baggies currently sitting 16th in the Championship.
After going 3-0 down in what was a torrid first half at St. Mary’s, goals from Karlan Grant and Nat Phillips reduced the arrears to prevent the scoreline from being embarrassing.
Up next for them is a home match against fellow strugglers Sheffield United, and a win is necessary if they want to breathe some life into their season.
West Brom predicted as favourites to beat Sheffield United
After losing the 2024-25 Championship playoff final to Sunderland in heartbreaking circumstances, Sheffield United have had an abysmal start to the season.
Ruben Selles’ abysmal six-game spell in charge saw him sacked after losing every match, and Chris Wilder has been re-appointed to steady the ship at Bramall Lane.
According to Opta‘s supercomputer, West Brom will secure a much-needed win against their 17th-placed opponents at The Hawthorns.
- West Brom have been given a 39.4 per cent chance of claiming all three points
- Sheffield United have a 34.1 per cent chance of securing their third away win of the season
- A draw has been given a 26.5 per cent probability of occurring
The Blades were on a four-match winning run, although a disappointing draw to struggling Norwich City has slightly dented the momentum they were gaining under Wilder.
They have the opportunity to move above Mason’s side in the table with a win, although West Brom’s form at home has been fairly impressive, losing just once at The Hawthorns all season.
The Baggies are winless in their last four meetings with Sheffield United, and Mason has a lot of lessons to learn from the Southampton game if he doesn’t want to extend that record.
What should Ryan Mason do against Sheffield United after Southampton defeat?
The 3-2 scoreline on Tuesday looks very flattering, and the fact that the match was virtually over by half-time shows how hopeless Mason’s side was.
Mikey Johnston has to be recalled into the starting line-up over Samuel Iling-Junior, while Phillips’ horrible performance in defence proved costly yet again.
West Brom’s last home game was a 3-2 win over Swansea City, with the Baggies going 2-0 down instantly before mounting a remarkable comeback.
Should they offer Wilder’s men a similar advantage as they did to both matches against Swansea and Southampton, West Brom will have no chance of securing a positive result.
Mason’s best hope is to play counter-attacking football and expose Sheffield United’s lack of pace in defence, or his career in B71 could be over.
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