Football Heaven: Sheffield United v Sheffield Wednesday derby preview
The Steel City derby returns to Bramall Lane on Saturday lunchtime, as Sheffield United host rivals Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.
The two teams are separated by just two points in the table, with the Blades sitting in 10th place and the Owls in 12th.
This will be the first meeting between the two sides since Wednesday’s 2-0 win at Hillsborough in February 2020.
The Blades will be looking to avenge that defeat and extend their unbeaten home record against their rivals to six games.
Wednesday, meanwhile, will be looking to win their first away derby since 2012.
The game is expected to be a sell-out and the atmosphere is sure to be electric.
Here is everything you need to know about the game:
- Date: Saturday, August 13, 2022
- Time: 12:30pm BST
- Venue: Bramall Lane
- Tickets: On sale now from the Sheffield United website
Team news
Sheffield United will be without Oli McBurnie (foot) and Jack Robinson (hamstring). Sander Berge (hamstring) is a doubt.
Sheffield Wednesday will be without Dominic Iorfa (hamstring) and Callum Paterson (knee).
Predicted line-ups
Sheffield United: Foderingham; Baldock, Egan, Basham, Lowe; Norwood, Fleck, Berge; Sharp, McGoldrick, Ndiaye.
Sheffield Wednesday: Westwood; Hutchinson, Ihiekwe, Lees, Johnson; Bannan, Luongo, Byers; Windass, Gregory, Kamberi.
Match facts
- Sheffield United have won the last five home derbies against Sheffield Wednesday.
- Sheffield Wednesday have not won an away derby since 2012.
- The two teams have met 135 times in all competitions, with Sheffield United winning 54, Sheffield Wednesday winning 47 and 34 draws.
What the managers are saying
Sheffield United manager Slavisa Jokanovic: "We have to be ready for a big fight. We know that Sheffield Wednesday are a good team and they will be coming here to win. But we are at home and we have our fans behind us. We will be ready for them."
Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore: "We are going into the game with a lot of confidence. We know that it will be a tough game, but we believe that we can win. We have a good team and we are ready for the challenge."
