This weekend marks the 147th edition of a derby that splits an industrial city in half. Pride, bragging rights and an important 3 points are on the line for both clubs – But which side will have the edge on Sunday?

Origin

It is no secret to anybody that a contest between these 2 sides provokes the passionate side of both fanbases to raise it up a notch.  A derby which first began in 1890 is now widely regarded as one of the most intense in the entire country.

Back in 1889, Sheffield Wednesday were the only formed team in Sheffield at that time, playing their home games at Bramall Lane. However, problems arose due to a disagreement over the rent of the ground with the cricket committee who played at the same location.

Therefore, Sheffield Wednesday relocated to a new ground called Olive Grove that same year.

Because of the decision made by the football team to move home grounds, the cricket committee at Bramall Lane were missing out on significant amounts of income so decided to form their own team – Sheffield United.

This then led to a fierce rivalry being created between the 2 sides over a business-orientated decision rooted in a working-class city. This derby has travelled through generations, all the way to the present day, where the hatred is not simmering down anytime soon. With both Bramall Lane and Wednesday’s new stadium, Hillsborough, being located just 3 miles apart, this encounter splits families and loved ones in half.

 

History Between The Clubs

The first ever game contested by the 2 clubs was won 2-1 by Wednesday in December 1890, albeit only a friendly. Their first competitive encounter did not happen until almost 3 years later in October 1893, resulting in a 1-1 draw.

Since then, the clubs have faced each other 146 times in competitive matches – United winning 51 and Wednesday winning 48.

Throughout the 20th century, the fortunes tended to fall in favour of the dominant side in that period with both sides experiencing superiority over the other. Clashes between the 2 took place consistently in mainly the top 2 divisions of English football during this time, with neither seeming to get away from one another in terms of league position.

Many regard the most famous edition of the Steel City Derby in history did not even take place in Sheffield, but instead at Wembley in what remains the only tie between them not to be played in the home city. An FA Cup semi-final in 1993 saw Wednesday run out 2-1 winners after extra time, losing the eventual final to Arsenal by the same scoreline.

However, Wednesday fans of the older generation may argue that their favourite derby game occurred in 1979, where they dismantled a United side by 4 goals to 0. With that being the first meeting since 1971, added pressure was placed onto the game and is still the largest margin of victory in a derby game since.

Perhaps the most important game happened in 2012 in what saw the 2 promotion candidates go head-to-head with each other approaching the end of the 11/12 season. Once again, Wednesday came out on top and it saw them go within 2 points of their arch rivals and gave them the springboard to pip United to automatic promotion into the Championship.

It is not all doom and gloom for United though as that was the last time Wednesday have beaten them – an unbeaten run of over 13 years. Recent fixtures have fallen in United’s favour with a memorable 4-2 victory away at Hillsborough in 2017 the pick of the recent success for The Blades. This also marks the last time a goal has been conceded by United in a derby clash, 450 minutes of football against The Owls.

Wednesday Preview

Dealt with a brutal hand because of the administrative measures they are currently in, it has been a valiant effort by Wednesday this season all things considered. With players not being paid, fans not turning up to games and a new manager in Henrik Pedersen coming in under extremely challenging circumstances, the table looks bleak for The Owls but there are some positive aspects starting to come along.

Without the -12 points deduction they were handed, Wednesday would be sitting just 2 points off their rivals ahead of the game on Sunday. Solid away performances at the likes of promotion hopefuls Birmingham and West Brom and a victory down at Fratton Park in September, shows that the current playing squad and manager are capable of picking up results in this league.

Understandably however, they remain winless at home but will hope a packed out Hillsborough on Sunday will give them the impetus to pick up their first 3 points in Sheffield this season.

With fan-favourite and club legend Barry Bannan still anchoring the Wednesday midfield, quality on the ball is there for Wednesday to exploit and put to use on Sunday. The Owls will hope to keep United’s attacking players quiet whilst trying to score their first goal against them in 8 and a half years.

Predicted XI – Horvath, Lowe, Iorfa, Palmer, Amass, Fusire, Bannan, Valery, Ingelsson, Lowe, Ugbo

United Preview

After the heartbreak of Wembley just 6 months ago, many backed The Blades for another promotion push this season. After the departure of Wilder for the second time by the club, Ruben Selles was appointed off the back of his Hull City tenure.

His start as head coach could not have been worse as he lost all of his first 7 games in charge, leaving United bottom of the table. Selles was sacked immediately and replaced by – you guessed it – Chris Wilder, ready to begin his 3rd stint as manager of the Yorkshire outfit.

Fortunes turned pretty quickly for Wilder’s side as he picked up 9 points out of a possible 15 in his first 5 games, propelling United off the bottom of the table and being replaced by Wednesday to the delight of Blades fans.

With no wins in the last 4 though, it still leaves them sitting in 22nd place inside the relegation zone with fans wondering if the early season form is starting to kick back into the squad.

Despite the results this season, there is undoubted quality in the United squad. Many top performing players within the Championship have made the switch to Bramall Lane in recent seasons including Callum O’Hare, Japhet Tanganga and Gustavo Hamer. Former Premier League strikers in Danny Ings and Patrick Bamford have also been added to the squad making The Blades attacking force on paper look very strong.

However, injuries to Hamer and young midfielder Ollie Arblaster has meant Wilder has had to cope with 2 of his best players in recent weeks, providing a challenge to the veteran manager.

Predicted XI – Cooper, McCallum, McGuiness, Mee, Tanganga, Peck, Riedewald, Brooks, O’Hare, Campbell, Ings

 

It promises to be a highly competitive edition of The Steel City Derby with both sides looking to add to their current tallies to enhance their chances of survival this season.

Prediction – Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Sheffield United