It may be the final time that the Blades play at the iconic ground. This season will be the Hammers final season at Upton Park before moving to the Olympic Stadium - only a draw in the FA Cup would allow United to play here again this season.
Defeats against Bristol City and Coventry City have hampered the Blades start to the League One season but recent back to back wins over Peterborough United (2-1) and last Saturday's victory at home to Crawley Town (1-0) which has seen attacker Jose Baxter net twice in two matches to ease their early headache.
Jose Baxter's superb second-half goal secured Sheffield United their first home victory of the new League One campaign as they saw off Crawley 1-0. Baxter swept home an unstoppable 48th minute finish to hand Nigel Clough's side all three points. The visitors forged several opportunities of their own, especially before the interval, but United's margin of victory should have been greater with Michael Higdon and Ben Davies among those to go close. United, despite enjoying more territory and possession, could count themselves fortunate not to be losing and at a numerical disadvantage by half time.
Harrison McGahey, the hosts' young centre-back enjoyed a lucky escape when he clipped Izale McLeod on the edge of the area as Crawley launched the first of several counter-attacks while Jay McEveley and Craig Alcock produced excellent blocks to deny Bobson Bawling and Gwion Edwards moments before the break. But United had also created several promising opportunities of their own with Baxter seeing a close-range shot deflected into the side-netting before Brian Jensen, the former Burnley goalkeeper, bravely smothered Davies' inswinging free-kick at the feet of Higdon. Jensen was powerless to prevent Baxter's superb 25 yard finish finding the back of his net three minutes after the re-start and the United attacker quickly went close again following Jamie Murphy's run.
Higdon thought he had doubled their advantage but Conor Henderson somehow managed to scramble his attempt clear as Jensen lay on the turf while the Dane palmed away to safety from Chris Basham after Davies' had barged through. Crawley regained their composure and pressed United back during the closing stages as the match became increasingly ragged but failed to secure a point.
Blades boss Nigel Clough will be forced to decide whether to field his strongest side against the Hammers tonight or rest key players a trip with promotion rivals Preston North End coming this weekend. However he will be without midfielder Florent Cuvelier (ligaments) despite his return to training.
Possible Team Line-Ups:
| West Ham United |
| Sheffield United |
West Ham United have made a reasonable start to the new 2014/15 Premier League season - losing by a single goal at home to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur before winning by three goals to one at Selhurst Park in last Saturday's victory over Crystal Palace.
Summer signing Mauro Zarate volleyed a debut goal in West Ham's 3-1 Premier League victory at Crystal Palace to ease the pressure on manager Sam Allardyce. Stewart Downing and Carlton Cole also fired home as the Hammers eased past the managerless Eagles, who were unable to add to Marouane Chamakh's smart finish. Palace's second straight defeat plunged the south London club into further distress, with the board still hunting a replacement for Tony Pulis. Hammers boss Allardyce only clung onto his job in the summer after promising the West Ham board more expansive, attacking football.
Former Tottenham and England striker Teddy Sheringham joined the back-room staff, while Allardyce recruited Argentinian forward Zarate from Velez Sarsfield. Allardyce's attacking revolution failed to bear fruit on the season's opening day in a frustrating 1-0 Upton Park defeat to Tottenham, the Hammers spurning a host of half-chances. Former Lazio poacher Zarate was able to cut West Ham's toothless finishing short at Selhurst Park however, capping a lively full debut with a smart first-half finish. Former Middlesbrough wing Downing claimed just his second West Ham goal moments later, as Palace paid the price for backing off in midfield. Downing raced down the right, cut off his flank and nudged a side-footed effort past the blameless Speroni. James Tomkins headed against the crossbar to open the second half as West Ham sought to kill off the contest.
Palace immediately seized on the reprieve, former Arsenal forward Chamakh firing in a low shot from 20 yards to half the deficit. Bannan blasted straight at Adrian from the edge of the area, but just when the hosts scented level terms West Ham struck again. Striker Cole, so profligate against Spurs, pounced on a loose ball in the Palace box to lash past Speroni and kill the contest. Highly-respected commentator Barry Davies was back on BBC duty 10 years after his retirement to call this clash for Match of the Day's 50th anniversary. The 76-year-old was on hand to witness Palace hit new lows after a testing week, with caretaker manager Keith Millen hardly furthering his claims to the permanent job.
Co-chairman Steve Parish was joined by former Palace striker Mark Bright in the directors' box, and no doubt the pair had plenty to discuss. Parish was all set to hand Malky Mackay the reins to replace Pulis, who walked out on the eve of the season after rows over transfer policy. Mackay fell out of the running after the FA launched an investigation into racist, sexist and homophobic text messages sent during his time as Cardiff manager. Revelations from Cardiff's extensive dossier also led to their former head of recruitment Iain Moody resigning his post as sporting director at Palace. Tim Sherwood pulled out of the running for the Palace job after initially being deemed second choice to Mackay, leaving Millen to take charge for the second week running. While West Ham can look towards Cole and Zarate forging a dangerous strike partnership, Palace know time is running out for transfer recruits with the window closing on September 1.
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce will see defender James Collins available for re-selection after sitting out a one match suspension following his red card of the opening day of the season. However he is without Joey O'Brien (knee), James Tomkins and Carl Jenkinson (both hamstring), Ravel Morrison (groin), Andy Carroll (ankle) and Kevin Nolan (shoulder) through injury.
Blades-Mad Prediction: West Ham United 0 Sheffield United 1 (aet)
United we stand, United we follow!