Sheffield United vs Sheffield Wednesday Prediction: Tight encounter expected

The Steel City Derby comes to us on Sunday as Sheffield United host Sheffield Wednesday at 12:30 on Sky Sports Main Event. This will be the first meeting of these two teams since 2019, given the Blades have spent time in the top flight, and the Owls were recently in the third tier. 

However, absence has not made the heart grow fonder in this case, and tensions are high ahead of this second tier clash. Below you will find my Sheffield United vs Sheffield Wednesday prediction featuring team news and betting tips.

Team News

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder brought Anel Ahmedhodzic back into his defence in place of Jack Robinson in midweek, but they seemed to have more balance with the left-footer at the heart of the defence. However, it is difficult to see Ahmedhodzic or Harry Souttar being dropped after the work they have done this term, so Robinson will likely find himself on the bench once again. 

Oli Arblaster, Kieffer Moore and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi were all named a substitutes in midweek but I’d expect the trio to come back into the XI for this one, especially given the hit and miss form of Callum O’Hare in midfield. He hasn’t yet hit the heights expected of him since he joined from Coventry and could lose his spot in the team if that form continues. 

Football Odds

For Sheffield Wednesday, Dominic Iorfa went off after a knock to his head but appeared to be okay at full-time, however concussion protocols will be taken before he is given the all clear. Ben Hamer, Michael Ihiekwe, Nathaniel Chalobah and Olaf Kobacki all remain out for Danny Rohl but if Iorfa is passed fit, he may be tempted to name an unchanged XI from the side that got the win over Norwich. 

Josh Windass found the net, but Ike Ugbo’s struggles up front continued as he missed a header from a couple of yards out. He will probably drop out of the side in favour of Michael Smith who offers a more physical presence in the final third. Jamal Lowe is another experienced forward option, but may have to settle for a spot on the bench. 

Sheffield United vs Sheffield Wednesday Odds

Sheffield United are priced at 9/10 to win this game, which gives them an implied win probability of 52%. Wednesday can be backed at 16/5 to win this one, with a draw available at 5/2. Over 2.5 goals is 11/10 while Kieffer Moore is the favourite to open the scoring at 11/2. 

Under 2.5 goals @ 4/6 

This game is unlikely to be a thriller. There’s an awful lot of apprehension on both sides and history dictates that we are unlikely to see a glut of goals at Bramall Lane on Sunday. The last three meetings between these two have ended 0-0 and while they came five years ago, they just show the type of match that is likely to unfold. 

It’s not going to be packed full of quality, but instead a tough battle between two outfits desperate not to concede ground to their rivals. Sheffield United have posted the highest under 2.5 goals percentage in the league, with the 12 of their 14 league games so far come under the three-goal threshold. 86 per cent of the time they are able to keep their games to two goals or fewer, and given the early kick-off and the derby atmosphere, I think the under 2.5 goals selection will be my first pick. 

Sheffield United 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday @ 5/1

I’m pretty certain that there won’t be more than two goals in this game either way, so I feel the best course of action for us to take is to pick out a winner via a correct scoreline. At 9/10, Sheffield United are the clear favourites to take all three points, and after another late win in midweek, they are now in automatic promotion contention. 

Wilder seems to be able to drag results out in these tight matches, and I think the individual ability of Rak-Sakyi, Hamer or O’Hare may be able to find a goal from somewhere. Sheffield Wednesday are a strong outfit this term, but I think they will marginally come up short at Bramall Lane. 

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