Sheffield United have been blunt in attack this season but they have netted in three of their last five league games, and they can breach a West Ham backline that have leaked their fair share of goals this season.

The Hammers have failed to keep their opponents out on 15 of their 20 league games this season. This includes conceding in 9 of their 10 trip away from their London headquarters – defensive issues are certainly weakening West Ham.

When looking at the stats, both teams have scored in 65% of West Ham’s Premier League outings this season, and with a handful of absences through injury and international duty, as well as a quick turnaround from playing on Tuesday night, Sheffield United will have a good chance of grabbing a goal here on Sunday. West Ham have scored in all but 3 of their league games this season so they should fancy themselves to get on the scoresheet too.

With both teams chasing the 3 points, for different reasons, a stalemate doesn’t seem fitting for this occasion, especially not a 1-1 draw. Over 2.5 goals selection has landed in 65% of West Ham’s fixtures and 60% of Sheffield United’s outings, so we have confidence in this market copping again with so much to play for at both ends of the table.

With some key midfield absences for West Ham coming into this one, Edson Alvarez is looking like a prime candidate to pick up at least one foul on Sunday. He averages 1.34 fouls per 90 and clocking up seven yellows in the process, one of which was picked up in the reverse fixture back in September.

Alvarez has picked up at least one foul in 4 of his last 5 outings for the Hammers and committed 2 fouls on 3 of those occasions – a very consistent fouler. He picked up 2 fouls and a booking in the reverse fixture and this encounter could shape up similarly.

Sheffield United’s fouls are spread out all over the squad, with lots of consistent foulers in their midfield and defence, which has highlighted good value in the fouls markets. The Blades are committing an average of 12.1 fouls per 90 this season and face a West Ham side that draw an average of 10 fouls per game.

Chris Wilder’s men have picked up at least 12 fouls in 6 of their last 7 Premier League outings, three of which were played at Bramall Lane in which they made 13 fouls on each occasion. Despite this consistency over recent weeks, 12 Sheff U fouls is priced at evens. That bet has landed in 13 of their 20 league games this season with the majority of the matches that saw under 12 fouls coming at the start of the season.

Both of these sides have shown their tendency to pick up bookings this season, but Sheffield United have established themselves as the second-worst disciplined team in the league, accumulating 65 yellows so far.

The Blades are racking up an impressive average of 3.25 bookings per 90, and up against a West Ham side stacked with very capable foul-drawing players, this match could be set with many traps for Chris Wilder’s men.

Blades have received at least 3 bookings in 4 of their last 5 Premier League outings with the only exception being their 2-0 defeat to Man City.