All you need to know about Sheffield United versus West Ham

After winning the corresponding fixture last season, albeit in controversial circumstances when West Ham had a late equaliser disallowed, Sheffield United hope tomorrow’s contest produces their first win of the new season after losing seven and drawing one of their opening eight games.
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The Star’s James Shield analyses some of the facts and figures surrounding the game, and explains how to follow the action.

The Possible Teams: United - Ramsdale, Basham, Jagielka, Robinson, Baldock, Lowe, Ampadu, Osborn, Berge, McGoldrick, McBurnie. West Ham - Fabianski, Diop, Cresswell, Balbuena, Masuaku, Soucek, Rice, Coufal, Benrahma, Haller, Bowen.

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The Referee: Martin Atkinson will oversee this game, while Jonathan Moss is scheduled to be the VAR official. From West Yorkshire, Atkinson averages two cautions per game so far this term and will be making his first appearance at Bramall Lane since July, when Enda Stevens and Jack O’Connell were the two players booked as United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers late on.

The Form Guide: West Ham have made a solid start to the new season, winning three, losing three and drawing two of their eight matches so far. Wolves, who triumphed 2-0 over United during the opening round of fixtures, Leicester City and Fulham are the sides Moyes’ team have beaten so far while Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City were both held to draws towards the end of last month. However, United will have noted that West Ham have won away from home on only three occasions since the turn of the year, with one of those victories coming in the FA Cup at Gillingham. Wilder’s side are still searching for their first win in any competition since returning to action in September.

The Goals Column: West Ham average exactly one goal per game since drawing 3-3 with Spurs. They have also conceded an average of exactly one per game during meetings with City, Liverpool and Fulham - conceding twice at Anfield but keeping a clean sheet when Scott Parker’s side made the journey across London before the international break.

The History Lesson: This will be the 90th meeting between United and West Ham, with the first game between them taking place in 1924. United have triumphed on 36 occasions compared to 30 for West Ham. Their last seven clashes have produced a total of only 13 goals, with three of those coming when the Londoners travelled to South Yorkshire during the second half of the 2006/07 season - when United won before being controversially when West Ham avoided a points deduction despite fielding two ineligible players.

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The Dangerman: Michail Antonio, previously of Sheffield Wednesday, is West Ham’s leading scorer so far this season, netting on three occasions since finding the back of the net 10 times last term. But midfielder or defender Declan Rice, who won his 13th England cap during Wednesday’s game against Iceland, is perhaps even more influential.

Sheffield United's manager Chris Wilder (L) gestures on the touchline  next to West Ham's David Moyes: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty ImagesSheffield United's manager Chris Wilder (L) gestures on the touchline  next to West Ham's David Moyes: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
Sheffield United's manager Chris Wilder (L) gestures on the touchline next to West Ham's David Moyes: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

The Details: United versus West Ham, kick-off 2pm tomorrow. Up to the minute coverage and pre and post match analysis is available via The Star’s website.

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