Sheffield Wednesday welcome city rivals, Sheffield United to Hillsborough in a pivotal Steel City derby, which could be decisive in the Sky Bet Championship race for promotion.
Victory for Wednesday will see them move to within four points of sixth-placed Bristol City whilst United can return to second with all three points.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesSheffield Wednesday will hand defenders, Morgan Fox (back) and Jordan Thorniley (concussion) late checks ahead of the match.
Newcastle loanee, Achraf Lazaar however is sidelined with a hamstring injury until April.
United will have Jack O’ Connell available after the defender sat out their last three matches with a hamstring injury.
George Baldock is also available after recovering from a calf injury picked up at start of February against Middlesbrough.
Form
Sheffield Wednesday enter this unbeaten in their last seven with four wins and three draws, although the first win came before Steve Bruce took charge.
At home, the Owls are unbeaten in their last seven across all competitions with five clean sheets.
The Blades however have suffered just one loss in their last 12, with eight wins and three draws although they won just one of last five away trips.
Stat Attack
- Since the Blades returned to Championship last season, they are unbeaten against Wednesday (W1, D2).
- Sheffield Wednesday have lost just one of their last five Steel City derbies at Hillsborough (W3, D1, L1).
- Both meetings in 2018 finished goalless for first time in a calendar year between these sides.
- Only four of Sheffield United’s last nine goals have come in first half.
- Steven Fletcher has scored five goals in four of the Owls’ last five games, only drawing blank in 0-0 draw with Reading.
Prediction
Given the form of both teams, I am expecting an entertaining battle here but if United strike first, they might sit back and defend for majority of match.
Wednesday however have Adam Reach who this season seems to love scoring live on Sky Sports, so can see him helping them to a point.
Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Sheffield United
Result: Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Sheffield United