West Ham United vs Sheffield United. Premier League.
London Stadium.
Angelo Ogbonna ruled out for Hammers but Michail Antonio is in contention; follow West Ham vs Sheff Utd with our live blog on Sky Sports website and app; watch free match highlights shortly after full-time on Sky Sports' digital platforms and YouTube channel
Monday 15 February 2021 11:49, UK
Team news, stats and prediction ahead of West Ham vs Sheff Utd in the Premier League on Monday (kick-off 6pm).
Angelo Ogbonna suffered an ankle sprain in a challenge with Anthony Martial at Manchester United and will miss this encounter for West Ham, but Issa Diop escaped a concussion in that FA Cup tie and will step in.
David Moyes also confirmed forward Michail Antonio is on track to be involved after recovering from the fatigue that saw him miss Tuesday's trip to Old Trafford.
Chelsea loanee Ethan Ampadu is set to return for Sheffield United after he missed the Chelsea defeat due to being ineligible to face his parent club.
Enda Stevens (calf) remains a doubt and George Baldock will be assessed after a knock forced him off in the win against West Brom.
Follow West Ham vs Sheff Utd in our dedicated live match blog. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
Ah, West Ham, how you trouble me. Trying to predict match outcomes and results in the Premier League is a tough job at the best of times but West Ham make it an impossible one.
With Valentine's Day upon us, my relationship with them must be what it's like to be single and dabbling on dating apps - it's been a while for this married man. It's pure mind-games when it comes to the Hammers. One week, they flutter their eyes at me and rip through teams like Aston Villa and Crystal Palace with no problem. Do they want something long-term?
Then, they blank me. Putting in turgid displays like the one at Fulham last weekend where they looked a run of the mill mid-table team that are not capable of scoring many goals. I do not know where I stand.
My gut is telling me to take them on at 4/6 here with improving and now reliable Sheffield United at the door, who have won six of their last nine games in all competitions. But to save more heartache, I will play the draw.
One area of interest from a punting perspective revolves around Declan Rice's chances of scoring. Despite playing every minute of every game this season for the Hammers, Rice has yet to find the net and you can tell it's something that is bothering the West Ham skipper, who has admitted he wants to become a goalscoring midfielder. He's good enough, too.
The England midfielder goes up for every set-piece, has had seven shots in his last seven Premier League games and there is an outside chance he just might be on penalties in the absence of Mark Noble and maybe Michail Antonio, although West Ham have yet to be awarded one this season. I think 28/1 underestimates his chances of opening the scoring here.
JONES KNOWS PREDICTS: 1-1
BETTING ANGLE: Declan Rice to score first (28/1 with Sky Bet)
In this week's Pitch to Post Preview Podcast Peter Smith is joined by Sky Sports News reporter Paul Gilmour and Sky Sports feature writer Nick Wright to look ahead to Saturday's clash between Pep Guardiola's Man City and Jose Mourinho's Tottenham, with the league leaders' imperious form and Gareth Bale's continued absence from the Spurs XI on the agenda.
We also hear from Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith on Arsenal's inconsistency, how Mikel Arteta is building for a better campaign next season, and whether Leeds striker Patrick Bamford can make it into England's squad for the Euros.
Plus, Nick Wright delivers his verdict on why Manchester United should be ready for a title tilt, Sam Allardyce's struggles to turn things around at West Brom, and shares his Pitch for what will happen in the Premier League this weekend.
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