Slaven Bilić’s Baggies return to The Hawthorns on Saturday night (ko 8pm) as they look to record their first Premier League victory of the season against Sheffield United.
- The Big Pre-Match Quiz: Albion v Sheffield United
- Bilić: We need to produce
- Inside Training: Watch Albion prepare for Blades clash
Sheffield United
Their last time out
Similarly to Albion, the Blades were edged out in their last outing by a resurgent West Ham side who condemned them to a 1-0 defeat at Bramall Lane.
Sebastien Haller’s strike extended United’s losing run to four matches after previous defeats against Chelsea, Manchester City and reigning champions Liverpool.
In the dugout
Chris Wilder has been a pivotal figure in Sheffield United’s progression up the Football League pyramid and the one who guided them back to England’s top flight after 12 years away.
A former full-back in his playing days, Wilder made more than 400 career appearances before starting out in management. He began coaching in non-league with Alfreton and Halifax Town.
Following a short stint as assistant at Bury, Wilder went onto have success managing Oxford and Northampton before leading his boyhood Blades from League One back to the Premier League in the space of three years.
One to watch
David McGoldrick has already equalled his goals tally from last term in the opening stages of the 2020/21 season.
The 32-year-old netted just twice for the Blades during the last campaign. However, this term the striker has tallied three in all competitions, including a stunning effort against Arsenal.
Having recently retired from his duties for the Republic of Ireland, the forward will be fully focused on getting the goals that will help United achieve their targets this year.
Our last meeting
The last time the Baggies ran out victorious against the south Yorkshire outfit was in December, 2018 when goals from Gareth Barry and Kieran Gibbs wrapped up the points at Bramall Lane.
United won the reverse fixture back at The Hawthorns in February 2019 thanks to a solitary Kieran Dowell header.
Stats
Albion
- Albion’s last five against Sheffield United has seen them earn eight points (W2, D2, L1).
- Saturday will be the first time Slaven Bilić has managed a game against the Blades.
- Former Blade Callum Robinson is level for most goals on home soil in all competitions so far with Hal Robson-Kanu, with both strikers on three goals.
Sheffield United
- United go into Saturday’s game off the back of four straight defeats.
- But the Blades tend to find the back of the net on their travels, failing to score in just one of their four Premier League away games this season.
- Current top-scorer McGoldrick was the last member of the current side to score past the Baggies during December, 2018’s 2-1 defeat.
Head to head
|
Albion wins |
Draw | Sheff Utd wins | |
|
League |
40 | 25 | 41 |
|
FA Cup |
3 | 2 | 1 |
|
League Cup |
1 | 0 | 0 |
|
Total |
44 | 27 | 42 |
Our one to watch
Callum Robinson will be keen to get back among the attacking action against his former side.
All three of the lively forward’s goals this season have come at The Hawthorns. Following his near-sensational strike which cannoned back off the crossbar in our last game against Manchester United, Robinson will want to make amends by finding the net this weekend.
Read all about it
Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher features exclusively as the star interview in Saturday’s programme - with his focus fixed on cementing Albion’s progression.
Get yours here.
Follow the game
Gez Mulholland will be joined by once midfield-now-microphone maestro Andy Johnson to provide proudly partisan commentary and an expert insight for WBA Radio.
To listen live to Baggies-biased commentary on WBA Radio for free for every home and away match during the 2020/21 season all you have to do is sign up for a free My Albion account.
If you haven't already you can create your My Albion account here. Click Create Account or register quickly with your Facebook or Google account.
Live commentary starts from 15 minutes before kick-off and will be accessible through the live match centre or WBA TV.
If you have any issues registering or accessing your My Albion account please contact myalbion@wbafc.co.uk.
The game is also available to watch on Sky Sports.