Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United are our visitors on Friday evening as The Baggies are looking to bounce back after their recent setbacks on the road this week.
Sheffield United on a run with 6 games unbeaten in the Championship and are looking to go 7th with a chance to go above us in the table. Meanwhile the Baggies are unbeaten in 6 home games despite losing 7 away games on the bounce, can our home record help us here with us only losing to Derby at The Hawthorns so far this season.
Player To Watch – Sheffield United
Callum O’Hare, the former Coventry City midfielder, has been highlighted as my player to watch for this Friday evening’s clash. Known for his vision, ball control, and ability to unlock defenses, O’Hare could be a key influence in the midfield battle and may well dictate the tempo of the game. Keeping an eye on his movements and passing decisions could provide insights into how the match might unfold.
O’Hare’s experience at higher levels of competition makes him a player capable of moments of brilliance, particularly in tight games. His ability to find pockets of space and link play between the midfield and forwards could prove decisive, especially if his team needs to break down a well-organized defense. Watching how he interacts with his teammates and adapts to the opposition’s strategy will be crucial in assessing his impact on the match.
Player To Watch – West Brom
Karlan Grant will be a key player to watch for this clash against Sheffield United. Known for his pace and clinical finishing, Grant has the ability to exploit the Blades’ defensive gaps and make intelligent runs behind the backline. His movement off the ball and sharp decision-making in the final third could prove decisive, especially against a Sheffield United defence that can be vulnerable to quick, direct attacks.
Grant’s aerial ability and physical presence also make him a threat in set-piece situations, where Sheffield United have occasionally struggled to cope with strong, intelligent forwards. His link-up play with midfielders and wingers could create space and opportunities not just for himself, but for his teammates as well. Keeping an eye on Grant throughout the game will be crucial, as his movements and finishing could very well decide the outcome of this clash.
My Line Up V Sheff Utd
Line up against Sheffield United, Joe Wildsmith would go back in goal and I would play 3 at the back with Mepham, Phillips and Bielik, in the wing backs I have Alfie Gilchrist and Callum Styles, in midfield I have Alex Mowatt and Jayson Molumby.
In attack I put Karlan Grant and Mikey Johnston below Aune Heggebo as lone striker.
Prediction V Sheff Utd
Predictions for the Sheffield United game, I was right in the last match preview against Southampton stating we be down 2-0 in 20 minutes, I did say we would comeback but with just a narrow defeat by putting a 4-2 defeat, I was actually 1 Southampton goal away from being spot on with my prediction for the third time this season.
I am also doing well in Super Six again this season and also top of a few leagues I’m in, I am also thinking of doing a Super Six league based on this group with rewards up for grabs if people want to join it, followed by a prediction league when we play.
Anyways onto the prediction against Sheffield United, I think it be more positive having only lost 1 league game at home all season and with the Blades in form lets see how it pans out.
In the first 11 minutes, the Baggies would have a corner Mikey Johnston would cross it and then Nat Phillips would smash his header to give us a early lead that would give the fans a lift after taking the lead.
It would be 1-0 for a while Sheffield United would try and attack us and would have a free-kick that would be saved by Joe Wildsmith as it looks like it’s on target. At the break the Baggies would be in the lead.
In the second half we would try and get a goal as Heggebo’s shot would be saved by Michael Cooper, then in the 54th minute O’Hare would make a huge run and lift it for Patrick Bamford to give the Blades the equaliser having known our 43 minute lead has ended. 3 minutes later, Sheffield United would have a free kick after Bamford being taken down then Callum O’Hare’s free kick would now put the Blades in the lead, after being 1-0 down 3 minutes ago they are now in the lead, now the fans know it be another long 30 minutes to come.
The Baggies would try everything they can to get a equailser put they wouldn’t take enough chances, there wouldn’t be more goals in this one as Sheffield United would hold on away from home at The Hawthorns and us wouldn’t put chances away to secure a point, I am going for another defeat in this one.
Prediction: West Brom 1-2 Sheffield United
Predicted West Brom Goalscorers: Nat Phillips
Predicted Sheffield United Goalscorers: Patrick Bamford, Callum O’Hare
A 2-1 defeat, I can say we would get a early lead in the first half and be winning at half-time and can see us having more Ryan Mason moments half way through the second half to somehow lose the game as Sheffield United are in form under Chris Wilder and can be above us by the end of Friday night. I think our fans are not confident again about this one and if we do lose this one Ryan Mason must be under pressure as I said in almost every match preview and I think he could be sacked after this match, as we do not have a game 8 days after this one.