All you need to know about Sheffield United's visit to West Bromwich Albion
and live on Freeview channel 276
Chris Wilder’s side set-off for the Midlands at the foot of the table while the hosts, managed by former Croatia international Slaven Bilic, are one place and two points above them.
The Star’s James Shield identifies some of the key figures set to be involved and analyses the statistical trends which could provide some clues as to how the fixture will unfold.
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Hide AdThe Teams: West Brom - Johnstone, Ayaji, Furlong, Townsend, Bartley, Ivanovic, Sawyers, Gallagher, Diangana, Pereira, Robinson. United - Ramsdale, Basham, Egan, Stevens, Baldock, Lowe, Norwood, Fleck, Berge, McGoldrick, Brewster.
The Referee: Mike Dean, assisted by Darren Cann and Mark Scholes, will take charge of a match involving United for the third time this season having already overseen their meetings with Wolves and Liverpool. He showed three yellow cards during both of those games, with Sander Berge, John Lundstram, Enda Stevens, Oli McBurnie and John Egan all receiving cautions. Martin Atkinson, another hugely experienced official, oversees VAR duties. Dean, who also averages three bookings per outing since September, sent-off West Brom’s Kieran Gibbs when they travelled to Everton at the beginning of the campaign.
The Form Guide: United have lost eight and drawn one of their nine outings this season, with their only point coming against fellow strugglers Fulham at Bramall Lane. Their last away win came in February, when they beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park. An own goal settled that encounter. West Brom’s only win this term came against Harrogate Town in the EFL Cup. Their last home league success came in July, when they beat Derby County before winning promotion from the Championship.
The Goals Column: United have scored an average of 0.44 goals per game in the PL this season, conceding 1.66. They have not netted more than once in a game since beating Chelsea at home in July. Bilic’s men concede an average of 2 goals per game in the competition, but have scored slightly more than United; six efforts compared to four.
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Hide AdThe History Lesson: Contests between these two clubs are usually evenly poised, with United winning the most recent - at The Hawthorns in February last year - by a single goal. West Brom beat United at Bramall Lane 2-1 earlier that term. In total, the hosts have won 44 of their previous meetings with United, who have prevailed on 42 occasions.
The Dangermen: Oliver Burke and Callum Robinson could both face their former clubs this evening, having moved in opposite directions as part of a deal which also saw United receive £3m during the close season. Robinson has scored twice in the PL since then, with both of those efforts coming during a 3-3 draw with Chelsea.
The Details: West Brom versus Sheffield United, kick-off 8pm. Up to the minute coverage and pre and post match analysis is available via The Star’s online platforms and in print.