West Ham United will look to continue the solid start to the 2023/24 season when they welcome Sheffield United to the London Stadium on Saturday.
Gameweek 7 of the 2023/24 Premier League season kicks off with an action-packed Saturday, with eight of the ten games taking place on the day. The latest round of fixtures begins with the game between Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion before it continues at the London Stadium, where West Ham United will host Sheffield United.
West Ham United have started the 2023/24 season strongly, losing only two games thus far. With those defeats coming to the teams occupying the top two spots, no one can begrudge David Moyes and his charges. But those losses have dropped the Hammers to seventh on the table, with ten points from the first six outings. Meanwhile, they come into Saturday’s clash on the back of a 1-0 win over Lincoln City.
On the other hand, Sheffield United would have hoped for a better start to the 2023/24 season. But the Blades are one of the favourites to go down to the EFL Championship after managing only one point in six outings thus far. And with Paul Heckingbottom’s men having by far the worst defensive record, they are rooted to the bottom of the standings.
West Ham cruised to a 3-0 win the last time they hosted Sheffield United at the London Stadium in a Premier League fixture. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
West Ham United
WEST HAM | David Moyes is hopeful everyone has come through the midweek EFL Cup tie.
🗣️ "We’re pretty much fine."
Aaron Cresswell is the only flag, Moyes said he is "coming on well" from his hamstring issue.#FPL | #WHUFC ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/pTIfAD88Rm
— Fantasy Football Scout (@FFScout) September 29, 2023
David Moyes barely has any issues to deal with ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Sheffield United on Saturday, the West Ham United manager will be bereft of the services of only one first-team player, with Aaron Cresswell nursing a hamstring injury.
Alphonse Areola has become the first-choice goalkeeper for West Ham United this season and should feature between the sticks against Sheffield United. The home side will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of the Frenchman. And the backline should consist of Vladimir Coufal, Nayef Aguerd, Kurt Zouma, and Emerson Palmieri.
As for the midfield unit, Tomas Soucek has done well this season and should pick himself in the double pivot. The Czech midfielder will combine with Edson Alvarez to form a solid partnership in the middle of the park.
James Ward-Prowse has reinvented himself in an advanced midfield role this term. The Englishman will pose a threat in the final third with his late runs, while his deliveries from set-pieces will threaten the Sheffield United defence. Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma should be the two wide attackers, with Michail Antonio spearheading the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson; Soucek, Alvarez; Bowen, Ward-Prowse, Benrahma; Antonio
Sheffield United
Unlike his counterpart in the West Ham United dugout, Paul Heckingbottom has several concerns hampering his preparations ahead of the trip to the London Stadium. The Sheffield United boss should be without seven first-team players on Saturday.
George Baldock (calf), Rhys Norrington-Davies (thigh), Max Lowe (ankle), Ben Osborn (groin), Daniel Jebbison (illness), Rhian Brewster (hamstring), and William Osula (muscle injury) remain on the sidelines.
But there is some good news, as Oliver McBurnie is available after serving a suspension last weekend against Newcastle United. Meanwhile, Gustavo Hamer (knock) and John Fleck (leg) should have recovered in time to be available this weekend.
"Oli's back from suspension. Gus is that little bit better. John Fleck's trained today.
No one else to add to the injury list."
Paul Heckingbottom's press conference ahead of West Ham. 👇
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) September 29, 2023
McBurnie will take his place in the final third, forming the strike partnership alongside summer signing Cameron Archer. Meanwhile, Hamer will provide the most potent offensive threat for his team on Saturday.
The 26-year-old will likely join Vinicius Souza and Oliver Norwood in the middle of the park. While Hamer will provide the creative impetus from the middle of the park, Souza and Norwood will look to keep things tight in front of the backline.
Jayden Bogle and Yasser Larouci will be the two wing-backs, with Anel Ahmedhodzic, Chris Basham, and John Egan being the three centre-backs. Finally, Wes Foderingham will be the man in the goal, hoping to have a quieter outing at the back.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic, Basham, Egan; Bogle, Souza, Norwood, Hamer, Larouci; Archer, McBurnie
Key Stats
- West Ham United will look to clinch a third consecutive win over Sheffield United on Saturday.
- Five of West Ham United’s last seven matches in all competitions have finished with a 3-1 scoreline, with the Hammers winning three and losing two.
- Sheffield United have faced 52 shots on target this season, more than any other team in their first six fixtures of a Premier League campaign since such records began in 2003/04.
- West Ham United have won their last nine league fixtures against teams starting the day bottom of the table. They are unbeaten in their last 16 such games (W12 D4).
- Jarrod Bowen has scored four goals in six Premier League appearances for West Ham this season, although all four have come away from home. Last season, all six of his league goals came at the London Stadium.
Player to Watch
Michail Antonio
The Jamaican international has rediscovered top form this season, contributing to some crucial goals thus far. But he has found himself mired in somewhat of a faux pas after claiming West Ham United will finish ahead of Liverpool at the end of the season.
But following a sub-par showing last weekend, Callum Wilson has mocked Antonio for his remarks. The 33-year-old, with his face now red with embarrassment, will be eager to make amends and hit back with a convincing performance on Saturday.
Prediction
West Ham United 3-0 Sheffield United
Saturday’s fixture might have been a closely-contested affair last season, as West Ham United struggled to no end in the Premier League. But the Hammers have bounced back spectacularly this term after making some clever signings. In addition, with Sheffield United looking listless at the back, the home side should run riot.
David Moyes has won all seven home matches as a manager versus Sheffield United in all competitions by an aggregate score of 19-2. That record should extend on Saturday, with West Ham cruising to a 3-0 win over the Blades this weekend.