West Brom vs Sheffield United: Baggies can’t stop scoring, Blades can’t even start

Seb Sternik
18 August 2021

West Bromwich Albion's Karlan Grant (right) celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match at The Hawthorns

Two clubs looking for an immediate return to the Premier League will clash at the Hawthorns as West Brom welcome scoreless Sheffield United.

When: Wednesday, August 18, 8pm BST

Where: The Hawthorns

How to watch: Sky Sports

Follow this game live via our score centre

Best bets

West Brom to win by one goal at 13/5

Both teams to score at 10/11

Callum Robinson to score anytime at 19/10

Sheffield United fans have been buoyed following the club's capture of Liverpool defender Ben Davies on a season-long loan.

While this move does strengthen the team's defence, Slavisa Jokanovic's side is still missing some firepower up front.

As things stand, the Blades will be largely reliant on a 35-year-old Billy Sharp and a 33-year-old David McGoldrick getting their goals this season. Problem is, United are still goalless two games into the new campaign.

Speaking of scoring, West Brom have certainly done a lot of it in the opening two weeks. Valerien Ismael's side have bagged five goals in their games against Bournemouth and Luton.

It seems like the real issue for the Baggies will be keeping the door locked at the back. Albion have already conceded four this season - only Huddersfield and Preston have fared worse.

With the Blades desperate for goals and the Baggies seemingly unable to stop finding the back of the net, it's the both teams to score market that is definitely the one to watch ahead of this game.

Last three matches

Sheffield United 2-1 West Brom (Premier League - February 2, 2021)

United only won seven games last season but one of them did come against their fellow relegation contenders.

Matt Phillips opened the scoring for the visitors in the first half before things started going downhill.

Second-half efforts from Jayden Bogle and Billy Sharp helped the Blades to all three points at Bramall Lane.

West Brom 1-0 Sheffield United (Premier League - November 28, 2020)

Last time this fixture was played at the Hawthorns, it was the hosts who narrowly prevailed.

Conor Gallagher was the lone goal scorer as he helped the Baggies to one of only five league victories that season.

West Brom 0-1 Sheffield United (Championship - February 23, 2019)

Back in 2019, the Baggies weren't so lucky on home turf.

A first-half goal from Kieran Dowell helped the visitors to a slender win at the Hawthorns.

The Blades went on to finish second that season and enjoy automatic promotion to the Premier League.

Last ten head-to-heads

West Brom wins: 4

Draws: 2

Sheffield United wins: 4

West Brom goals: 11

Sheffield United goals: 11

Will Baggies stick to winning formula?

West Brom picked up their first win of the season last weekend thanks to a 3-2 home victory over Luton Town.

The Baggies lined-up in a 3-4-3 formation which certainly worked for about an hour.

Ismael's side were 3-0 up before the visitors began to mount a comeback. In the end, the home side held out for all three points but the manner in which Luton began to build momentum will come as a slight concern.

Sheffield United may be lacking an attacking edge but that doesn't mean the Baggies can take liberties.

West Brom aren't expected to make many changes and if that's the case, we can expect to see another goal-fest from the free-flowing hosts. The real question is whether they can finally tighten things up at the back.

Blades don't mind a trip to the Hawthorns

Having lost to Birmingham and drawn to Swansea, it's not exactly been the perfect start to the new season for Sheffield United.

Nevertheless, there's still a long way to go and many are expecting the South Yorkshire side to compete for promotion.

This clash against West Brom certainly won't be straightforward but at least the visitors can take positives from their record at the Hawthorns.

From six previous visits, United have managed three victories and a draw. What's more, all of those results saw the Blades keep a clean sheet.

Considering West Brom's offensive strengths, it's unlikely the visitors will be able to keep them at bay for the full 90 minutes.

However, that doesn't mean that the Blades can't turn this into a close, competitive contest.

Goalscorer bets

One man who has got off to a flyer is Callum Robinson.

In two games the Ireland international has bagged two goals as he looks to make an early bid for the Golden Boot.

What's more, at 19/10 Robinson offers great value in the anytime goalscorer market.

Sheffield United are yet to get off the mark this season but if anyone can break that goalless run it's last season's top scorer, David McGoldrick.

At 31/10, he offers a lot more value than the likes of Billy Sharp, Oliver McBurnie or even Rhian Brewster - who are all available at around the 13/5-mark.