Image source, BBC Sport

Ben Meakin, BladesPod, external:

After a summer where Sheffield United sold two of the stars of our promotion season due to them entering the final years of their contract, the Blades have shown a willingness to prevent this situation from happening again by giving new deals to younger players – much to my relief.

Not only are there positive noises about a possible u-turn on striker Dan Jebbison's contract stance, but the club this week extended the contract of teenage forward Antwoine Hackford and 20-year-old midfielder Andre Brooks. That comes just a few months after the Blades tied down Will Osula and highly-rated Louie Marsh to long-term deals.

The Brooks contract is particularly well-deserved, with the local lad parachuted into the team by Chris Wilder in an attempt to give the side a spark. He hasn't lit the Premier League alight – unsurprising considering the Liverpool game in December was his first ever league start – but he hasn't looked out of place either, to his immense credit.

Playing in a struggling side in the top flight and not looking out of his depth feels like a fantastic baseline for a player who still has plenty of room to refine and develop his game.

It's a relief to know that that development will now continue to take place with his hometown club, along with a clutch of other promising youngsters at Bramall Lane.

Warm-ups done.

Plenty of hats and gloves needed out there today.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Former West Ham winger Jobi McAnuff believes David Moyes may have to look for a "short-term fix" for his injury-hit forward line in the January transfer window.

The Hammers looked short of creativity in Tuesday's FA Cup third-round replay defeat by Championship side Bristol City in the absence of the injured Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta, and Mohammed Kudus who is away at Afcon.

"If I'm coming away from the game as a West Ham fan I have genuine concerns," McAnuff told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"Without those players, is it a short-term fix in terms of looking at the loan market because Kudus is away - Bowen, Paqueta injured.

"We know David Moyes' side are going to be compact, hard to break down, but you need that X-factor at times and they looked really short of it.

"I think there is definitely a question mark over whether they need to go and rectify that, particularly in the short term.

"Once they get those players back, they'll make such a difference. Three of maybe the best attacking players in the Premier League - if you're missing them it is going to show."

Chris Wilder
Sheffield United boss on BBC Radio 5 Live

The attitude towards the game is absolutely key. We've got to look to the games ahead. That's what the focus has to be. I think the Gillingham game in the cup was key. We've not had that winning feeling for a while.

Image source, BBC Sport

Everyone knows the situation at Sheffield United.

If they don't start winning games and picking up points, they will be relegated.

It's as simple as that.

Can Ben Brereton Diaz make a difference today on his debut and can they get something against a West Ham side hit with injuries?

Simon Stone
BBC Sport reporter

West Ham are interested in Manchester City’s England midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

City are willing to let Phillips leave in January after failing to secure a regular place under manager Pep Guardiola.

However, despite interest from numerous clubs already, including Newcastle and Juventus, there has been no agreement, with City’s demand for a loan fee for the former Leeds man said to be a stumbling block.

City believe they are justified in taking their stance given Phillips remains a member of Gareth Southgate’s squad and is likely to go to the European Championships this summer if he can get regular playing time.

West Ham boss David Moyes is eager to strengthen his squad, which has been weakened by a succession of injuries.

Image source, BBC Sport

No one could do any better at the football club than David Moyes at this moment in time. The successful European campaign and being sixth in the league tells you everything.

I was the one who said get Moyes a new contract, leave the keys and let him look after the football club because it’s in safe hands. And that’s not changed.

Fans sometimes have to be careful what they wish for. The pressure is always on every manager but the experience he has got will see him through.

You are always looking at where you can improve as a manager. At the top of the pitch it’s just the injuries. To lose so many at once is the problem.

A fit front line would save them going into the transfer market.

Image source, Getty Images

Oli McBurnie, who is on the bench for Sheffield United today, has scored in each of his last three Premier League appearances at home.

That's a club record for consecutive scoring appearances at Bramall Lane in the competition.

But he has ended up on the losing side in all three games.

He’s the only player in Premier League history to achieve this unfortunate feat for any club.

Julien Laurens
French football expert on BBC Radio 5 Live

Jarrod Bowen is still not a household name outside of England. I don't even think in England he gets the credit he deserves.

Image source, Getty Images

Jarrod Bowen has been involved in nine goals in nine Premier League away appearances for West Ham this season, scoring seven and assisting two.

Only Erling Haaland (10) has had a hand in more on the road so far this season.

Sheffield United midfielder Andre Brooks says he will be "working hard to stay in the team" after signing a new contract.

The academy graduate, who has been with the club since the age of eight, has signed a new deal until 2027.

Brooks made his Premier League debut as a substitute on the opening day of the season against Crystal Palace and has become a regular feature in Chris Wilder's starting line-up - starting the past seven games in all competitions.

"I am absolutely delighted, it's great to get it over the line," said Brooks.

"The gaffer has come in and showed confidence in me straight away and that's been a huge boost, it is up to me now to reward him for the faith he's showed in me.

"I've been in the system now for 12 years, and this is another step to where I want to be. I know there's still a long road ahead, so I'll be working hard to stay in the team and to keep learning and improving."

West Ham United

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham boss David Moyes on what he is expecting from Sheffield United today: "Bramall Lane always has a great atmosphere so we know it will be a tough game.

"Chris Wilder has always done a really good job. He's got a great history there and his teams have always been really hard to play against."

On whether Sheffield United having the full winter break gives them an advantage, he added: "It's hard to give an exact answer.

"Sometimes teams that keep playing do better. I think we had fewer injuries when we were playing every two or three days and we've got more injuries in the period we've had time off."

Image source, BBC Sport

We've seen how Manchester City have done without Erling Haaland up front in the past few weeks - now it is Liverpool's turn to cope without Mohamed Salah, who is away with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Reds are without the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold too, which is another big blow, especially for a tricky game like this one.

I hope Liverpool win, just as I hope Arsenal beat Palace, because I want to see a title race that goes to the wire and City's form is beginning to look ominous.

The defending champions have already welcomed one 'bazooka' back from injury in Kevin de Bruyne to boost their attack, and they have got another to come when Haaland is fit again.

This is going to be a real test for Jurgen Klopp's side, though. Bournemouth lost at Tottenham in their last league game at the turn of the year but they created enough chances to win that game.

I was sceptical about Cherries boss Andoni Iraola at first, perhaps because Gary O'Neil didn't deserve to be sacked in the summer, but after a slow start he has shown why you should always give new managers time to get their ideas across.

Before that defeat at Spurs, Bournemouth were on a run of seven wins and a draw from their previous eight league matches. They are well-organised and will be poised to press Liverpool, and I have a feeling they will get something from this game.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Former Sheffield United striker Carl Asaba believes the Blades have shown "good foresight" with their attacking options.

William Osula, 20, scored two goals against Gillingham in their FA Cup victory at the weekend to put pressure on regular striker Cameron Archer, who is currently on loan from Aston Villa.

"The manager doesn't pick names from what they have done in the past, he picks on how they are performing in training," Asaba told BBC Radio Sheffield's Blades Heaven podcast.

"He [Osula] would have earned that chance from Monday to Friday. The manager is all about what you are providing - not what you’ve done in the past.

"That is the most healthy thing for a club and he can't do any more. The club are completely aware of the prospect that he is. The foresight in the contract with Archer shows that.

"Cameron under the change of manager has been outstanding. But the club have identified that if they do go down then Will Osula will want to lead the line and he should be in that position, as if we go down they have a clause that he [Archer] will be going back to Aston Villa.

"That then removes a player from the pecking order. It is really good foresight from the club."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It is almost exactly 12 months now since West Ham paid £15m to sign Danny Ings from Aston Villa.

The move seemed to stack up. Ings was a regular goalscorer and the Hammers needed goals as they battled for survival at the wrong end of the Premier League table.

After four appearances without a goal, Ings' brace in an absolutely crucial win against Nottingham Forest on 25 February suggested the bedding-in period was over and the 31-year-old would deliver what he was bought for.

Unbelievably, Ings has scored once in 36 appearances since - against Gent in the Europa Conference League.

His last three appearances, at Liverpool in the EFL Cup and both FA Cup ties against Bristol City, have been completely underwhelming.

Wolves have been linked with Ings and it is pretty certain David Moyes would let him leave but wages are an issue because the striker is on big money.

The argument is that Ings cannot play in the West Ham system. But the barren run has gone on so long and confidence must be so low, it is now impossible to imagine the situation changing.

Ings has scored goals everywhere he has been. The chances are he will score elsewhere. His inability to do so at West Ham really does make no sense.

Image source, BBC Sport

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder decided not to take his squad to warmer climes during their winter break, and his message to his players is that only hard graft will get them out of trouble now.

The Blades are bottom of the Premier League and eight points adrift of safety, so they have got a heck of a lot of work to do.

Their schedule last month meant Wilder did not get much time on the training pitch with his players after taking charge at the start of December, so at least he has had a chance to do that in the past couple of weeks.

It will be interesting to see what difference it makes, because their position means they need results quickly.

They are the lowest scorers in the top flight so they also need goals, which is why they have brought in Ben Brereton Diaz on loan from Villarreal, but it's going to be hard for them to break West Ham down.

The Hammers will be smarting after Tuesday's FA Cup defeat to Bristol City but they did make a few changes for that game, and I just don't see them being beaten again here.

Neither side have a possession-based style of play, so they won't particularly want the ball. It is going to be tight, and it's got draw written all over it.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Image source, Getty Images

Defender Luke Thomas has had his loan deal with Sheffield United terminated by mutual consent.

The left-back, who joined the Blades on a season-long loan from Leicester in the summer, has returned to his parent club in the Championship.

The 22-year-old has featured 12 times in Premier League this season and once in the FA Cup, but has struggled for game time since Chris Wilder's return to the club following the sacking of Paul Heckingbottom.

He has played 85 games for Leicester, but had not featured in the first four Championship games of the season.

Sheffield United make four changes from the side who lost 2-0 to Manchester City in their last Premier League game, all the way back on December 30.

Gustavo Hamer, Ben Brereton Diaz - making his Premier League debut for the Blades - Anel Ahmedhodzic and James McAtee all come into the starting line-up.

Oliver Norwood drops to the bench. Anis Ben Slimane is at the Africa Cup of Nations. Luke Thomas, who has returned to Leicester, and George Baldock drop out.

Sheffield United XI: Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Trusty; Bogle, McAtee, Souza, Hamer; Brereton Diaz, Brooks, Osula.

Subs: Amissah, Brewster, McBurnie, Archer, Norwood, Osborn, Norrington-Davies, Seriki, Buyabu.

West Ham United also make four changes from their last Premier League outing, a goalless draw with Brighton on January 2.

Skipper Kurt Zouma, Vladimir Coufal, Maxwel Cornet and Danny Ings are given starts.

Ben Johnson and Angelo Ogbonna are on the bench. Edson Alvarez is not in the squad, while Said Benrahma is suspended.

West Ham XI: Areola, Coufal, Mavropanos, Zouma, Emerson; Ward-Prowse, Soucek; Fornals, Bowen, Cornet; Ings.

Subs: Fabianski, Johnson, Cresswell, Ogbonna, Casey, Mubama, Marshall, Scarles, Orford.

West Ham are on a run of three straight victories against Sheffield United without conceding.

The Blades could lose consecutive home league games in this fixture for the first time since February 1963.

West Ham's victory on their last visit to Bramall Lane is the only away win in nine Premier League meetings between the sides.

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham have picked up 10 wins in the Premier League this season - one less than their whole tally in 2022-23.

Their only defeat in nine league matches was by 5-0 at Fulham.

They have not conceded a goal in their four top-flight matches since that loss and could equal the club league record of five successive clean sheets.

David Moyes's side are also on a run of eight straight wins against promoted sides.

They did lose to Championship side Bristol City in an FA Cup replay in their last game though and are seeking their first win of 2024.