Sheffield United vs West Ham Prediction and Betting Tips: 7/2 and 13/1 picks from Bramall Lane

Bramall Lane is the destination on the cards for the first Premier League contest on Sunday as Sheffield United face West Ham United. Here at bettingodds.com we’ve got two tips for the game from Anthony Eadson that weigh in at 7/2 and 13/1.

Sheffield United need to start picking up points and quickly, if they are to stand any chance of achieving top-flight survival this campaign. The Blades have accrued just nine points from 20 matches and will be hoping that a few teams ahead of them will be given points deductions due to breaking financial fair play rules. United have managed a win over Brentford and a point against Aston Villa but are the underdogs to collect three points here priced at 12/5. 

West Ham United played out a goalless draw against Brighton at the London Stadium in their last Premier League match to extend their unbeaten streak to four (W3 D1 L0), leaving them in sixth place on 34 points. The Hammers were dumped out of the FA Cup by Bristol City on Tuesday and will be eager to bounce back and kick-on in the quest to qualify for Europe again next season. For those backing the visitors to come out victorious, 6/5 is available with most betting sites.

At first glance I thought West Ham looked a cracking price here, however they are missing a handful of key players for this one. Lucas Paqueta and Michail Antonio are out injured, Said Benrahma is suspended, Mohammed Kudus and Nayef Aguerd are away at AFCON, while Jarrod Bowen is a doubt for the game. 

For these reasons I’ve swerved the match result and I’m plumping for James Ward-Prowse to provide an assist. The key angle here is that Sheffield United have conceded more goals from crosses than any other side this season, shipping 13 in total. Couple this with the fact that Ward-Prowse has provided more assists from crosses than any other player in the league this season (5), and I think this looks a cracking bet.

The Hammers have several aerial threats in the opposition box with David Moyes known for creating a side of giants. Ward-Prowse has 10 assists across all formats for West Ham this season and I’ve taken the best-price available at the time of writing at 7/2 with bet365.

I’ve also had a little tickle on two players to be carded in the form of Edson Alvarez and Oliver Norwood. The West Ham midfielder has been shown a yellow in four different competitions for his club side this season and for club and country combined he has been brandished 16 cautions in just 31 matches. In the Premier League Alvarez has seen yellow in four of his seven away matches and he makes plenty of appeal here in what should be a physical contest. 

Three players lead the way for Sheffield United in terms of bookings this season with one of the trio being Oliver Norwood. This term, the 32-year-old has been carded in a third of his top-flight appearances collecting six yellows in 18 appearances and combining him with Alvarez pays 13/1 via the BetMGM Bet Builder.