Visionhaus/Getty Images. Pictured: Sheffield United star David McGoldrick.
West Ham vs. Sheffield United Odds
| West Ham Odds | -132 |
| Sheffield United Odds | +410 |
| Draw | +255 |
| Over/Under | 2.5 (+108 / -136) |
| Day | Time | Monday | 1 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBCSN |
Odds updated as of Sunday at 9:45 p.m. ET and via DraftKings. Get up to a $1,000 sign-up bonus at DraftKings today or see more offers and reviews for the best online sportsbooks.
Things could get awfully interesting in Premier League action on Monday when Sheffield United visits London Stadium to take on West Ham United.
The Blades, with a trip down to the Championship likely in their future, haven’t closed up shop just yet in England’s top flight. The league’s last-place side also just punched its ticket to the FA Cup quarterfinal round last week with a 1-0 win over Bristol City.
Now, Sheffield United will attempt to pick up its seventh win in its last 10 outings after opening the campaign winless through 18 games across all competitions.
The Blades will face an opponent in West Ham that’s sitting in sixth place on the table, but manager David Moyes’ side enters this affair fresh off a 1-0 loss to Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Prior to that result, West Ham settled for a lackluster scoreless draw against another bottom-three club in Fulham.
West Ham
Moyes had the Hammers flying high during a recent stretch in which they won six consecutive matches across all competitions. However, a rough 3-1 home loss against Liverpool back on Jan. 31 put a half to that run. Now, West Ham enters Monday’s matchup winless in three of its last four games in all competitions and searching for answers.
If the midweek cup defeat against Manchester United wasn’t disappointing enough, the Hammers suffered a slew of injuries in the process. Center back Angelo Ogbonna left the contest, as did his substitute, Issa Diop.
Standout striker Michail Antonio could miss out, as well, meaning Moyes will likely be sending out a patchwork outfit for this important meeting. Antonio is one of the Hammers’ top scorers (five goals, three assists), which is going to leave leading-scorer Tomáš Souček (eight goals) as the main offensive threat.
Statistically, West Ham continues to define balance in the advanced metrics. The Hammers sit on 30.8 expected goals and a solid 26.8 expected goals against, generating in a +4.0 expected goal difference (xGDiff) and +0.17 xGDiff/90 minutes.
Sheffield United
It really has been a tale of two seasons for the disappointing Blades, who enjoyed a respectable 2019-20 campaign before their complete reversal of fortune in this campaign.
However, Sheffield United has not remotely looked like the club that failed to win a match during the first four months of the season. This is a revitalized bunch that’s beaten six different clubs, including Manchester United, and more than hung around in a late January loss to Premier League leaders Manchester City.
David McGoldrick (five goals) continues to carry the bulk of the scoring load for the Blades, who have netted a league-worst 15 goals in 23 league fixtures.
When comparing stats with West Ham, Sheffield United’s overall numbers are nowhere near its foe. Although the Blades have improved of late, they have just 21.0 expected goals and subpar 33.1 expected goals against, resulting in a -12.1 xGDiff and -0.53 for xGDiff/90 minutes.
Betting Analysis & Picks
If these combatants were at full strength, I’d be on West Ham. Unfortunately, the Hammers are nowhere near 100% in terms of health and will be missing several key figures that have positioned them for European football.
Bottom line: Sheffield United is not a team I would want to face at any point the rest of the way. The Blades are dangerous and warrant respect, despite the fact they are among the bottom-three clubs.
I am going to take a swing on Sheffield United via the Draw No Bet line at a ripe +275 odds as my top play. The Blades are healthier, plus they’ve already shown that they can pull off an upset away from home with that Jan. 27 win over the Red Devils at Old Trafford.
I will also play the total staying under the number. My guess is this number will dip closer to kickoff, so I wouldn’t let it slide much further before getting in the mix. The fact there have been two goals or less in West Ham’s last six home tilts against Sheffield United gives me confidence in this wager.
Picks: Sheffield United — Draw No Bet (+275) | Total Under 2.5 Goals (-136)
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