For the second season running, Hillsborough and Bramall Lane will play host to one of the most eagerly-contested derbies in England. It’s the Owls that currently have the bragging rights after beating their arch-rivals 2-0 in January, although they did let a two-goal lead slip away to United in April, allowing the Blades to draw 2-2.
Nevertheless, with an unbeaten home record to protect this campaign, Brian Laws’ team will be confident of taking all three points from this match, with most firms making them slight favourites. Centrebet are in the minority by offering 7/4 about the home team, although totesport go as short as 11/8 about the home side.
Others will point to the fact that Wednesday got a 4-0 stuffing at Plymouth in their last match, while they only beat basement boys Nottingham Forest by a solitary goal last time they played in front of their own fans. On the flip side, United have won their last three matches on the bounce, including a 2-0 win at Doncaster Rovers. Kevin Blackwell’s team have also kept a clean sheet in their past two games, and its 23/10 (Paddy Power) that they do so again and 7/2 (Paddy Power) that they win to nil.
While the formbook often goes out of the window in these type of matches, my hunch is that the visitors will prove too strong; it’s no fluke that they’re sitting fourth in the Championship table right now. James Beattie has returned from injury and has scored three goals in as many matches as he nears full fitness. The former Everton striker is 13/2 (Blue Square) to open the scoring and an attractive 5/2 (William Hill) to keep his scoring run going. Wednesday’s top scorer is Marcus Tudgay, and he’s a 13/2 chance (Paddy Power) to draw first blood for the Owls.
Kevin Blackwell’s men beat Bristol City 3-0 in their last match, and it’s perfectly possible that they might win by a similar scoreline in this match (40/1 888sport). Blue Square go 14/1 about the 2-0 victory in favour of the visitors, and I’ll also be having a small bet on the team from the lane to win 2-1 (11/1 William Hill).