Sheffield United continue promotion push in Steel City Derby clash
Sheffield United will meet archrivals Sheffield Wednesday in the Steel City Derby on Friday night. The fixture sees two teams with similar form colliding in what could be a season defining match.
This is only the second meeting between the teams in six seasons as Sheffield United were promoted from League One last May. The first derby between the clubs, which took place in September, saw Sheffield United come away with a 4-2 win. Will the second derby of the season end in the same manner?
Between weeks four and 26 of the Championship season, Sheffield United saw themselves in the top 6. However, a recent dip in form has seen the team fall just outside the promotion places. Since November 21, the Blades have won just one match. That span of nine fixtures has seen them drop an incredible amount of points, and finding consistency is key for Chris Wilder's side. The team's only win since mid-November came against Sunderland in a 3-0 romp on Boxing Day. The team's defence has given up 16 goals in the last nine matches.
The Blades need a string of strong defensive performance to turn the tide and improve their form. The good news is the team's attack is still scoring goals. Sheffield United are third in the Championship in goals scored with 40, and the team has a +9-goal differential. Top scorer Leon Clarke has tallied 15 goals this term, which is best in the Championship heading into the weekend.
Sheffield Wednesday come into Friday night's derby in a similar poor run form. The team has won once since November 18, and that came on Boxing Day to Nottingham Forest. It is a run of 10 games with just one win. Unlike Sheffield United, who started the season very strongly, Wednesday must overturn their slide to save their season. The team has been mid-table or worse for much of the term, and if Wednesday continue their current winless streak, the team will be fighting relegation come April and May.
Wednesday are –4 in goal differential this season. The team isn't scoring, although Gary Hooper has struck 10 times for the Owls. Wednesday are far from the worst team in the Championship, but they must start showing they are better than the teams below them in the table, if they want to survive.
Making Sheffield Wednesday's attempts at a win on Friday even more difficult is Sheffield United's recent signing of James Wilson. The striker joins the Blades on loan from Manchester United. Wilson was the top goal scorer for the Red Devils' under-23 team with three strikes this term. His inclusion on Friday night should give the Blades even more of an attack boost.
The Owls will be without midfielder Sam Hutchinson who is expected to undergo surgery to repair a long-term injury he has been suffering. Hutchinson's loss will weaken Sheffield Wednesday's midfield, and should help the Blades cut through the spine of the team with ease. The Steel City Derby will also be the first match for new Sheffield Wednesday manager Jos Luhukay. It will be a trial by fire for the Dutch boss.
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