Match

Mark Lawrenson & Michael Owen both agree on prediction for must-win West Brom clash v Sheff Utd

Mark Lawrenson and Michael Owen believe that West Brom will lose when they travel to Bramall Lane on Tuesday evening.

The former Liverpool players predict Sheffield United will take all three points in the huge clash at the bottom of the Premier League.

Whilst giving his weekly predictions for the BBC, Lawrenson claimed it's the biggest game of the season for both clubs.

"West Brom are still conceding, but not as many," Lawrenson said. "They did well to stay in their game against Fulham on Saturday because they were completely outplayed in the first half, but they improved and deserved a point.

"The circumstances make this the biggest game of the season so far for both of them, because it is the chance to do damage to the teams around them as well as getting three massive points themselves".

Lawrenson predicts the score will be 2-0 in favour of Sheffield United.

Speaking to the BetVictor blog, Owen thinks both sides will find the net on Tuesday.

"West Brom shared the points in a close match with Fulham at the weekend and although they lost a late goal, it was an improvement on recent performances.

"Like that match, I think there will be goals in this one. So, I'm siding with Sheffield United to just have enough to secure the win."

Owen predicts the score will be 2-1 to Sheffield United.

A real six-pointer

Failure to pick up a win on Saturday has left us nine points adrift of 17th-placed Brighton.

As Big Sam has said ahead of the game, this is a must-win and a draw or a defeat is simply not good enough.

Sheffield United are scrapping for their lives, too. They've been unfortunate this season, not really losing by big amounts. They've lost by a single goal in twelve league games this season.

The Blades have won three of their last five in all competitions, including a 2-1 win at Old Trafford. Of the two, they're the in-form side.

However, unlike tonight's opponents, Big Sam has been backed by the board in the window.

The deadline day loan signings of Yokuslu and Maitland-Niles are fantastic bits of business.

Although they may be unavailable for this clash, they'll be crucial for the remainder of the season and do improve chances of beating the drop.

The boss has made a variety of singings in January. Along with yesterday's incomings, we've welcomed Snodgrass, Diagne and Lonergan.

Allardyce's squad is now much stronger than the start of the month. A win tonight could see the beginning of a change of fortunes at the Hawthorns.