Sheffield United vs Sheffield Wednesday – Preview | OneFootball

After five years of waiting, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday finally meet again this Sunday afternoon at Bramall Lane.

The Blades carry three straight victories into the first Steel City derby of the season, with their latest win coming from a last minute Harrison Burrows goal at Bristol City.

Wednesday must’ve been fearing the worst heading into Sunday after getting demolished 6-2 at Hillsborough by Watford. However, they managed to recover in midweek and defeated Norwich City 2-0.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 05: Danny Rohl, Manager of Sheffield Wednesday, looks on prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday FC and Norwich City FC at Hillsborough on November 05, 2024 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Transfer business

The Owls were busy in the summer transfer window as Danny Rohl oversaw 11 additions and a dozen outgoings.

One of their signings was the experienced Championship forward and Jamaican international, Jamal Lowe. Lowe is a player that has buckets of ability at Championship level, but, there’s always been an issue regarding his fitness. The versatile forward has already provided a goal and two assists in 10 league appearances this season.

Another addition that caught people’s attention this summer was the loan deal to bring James Beadle back to Hillsborough. While Beadle may have conceded an average of 1.7 goals per game this season, he’s still a decent young goalkeeper for a 20-year-old, and he’s usually good with the ball at his feet as well.

The final signing I want to highlight is the permanent deal to sign Ike Ugbo after a successful loan spell last term with the Owls. Although the 26-year-old striker has failed to bag a goal in the Championship this season, he’s still a handful to deal with on his day because of his pace and movement.

Team news

Sheffield United rested several players in the midweek win over Bristol City at the start of the game, before Chris Wilder opted to substitute on the likes of Oliver Arblaster, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Kieffer Moore. Unfortunately, the latter would pull up a few minutes into his sub appearance which was later described as a calf injury. As a result, the Welsh international is a doubt for the derby on Sunday, although not 100% declared out, Wilder has stated.

Rhian Brewster, who suffered a bang to his thigh against Blackburn Rovers, missed the matchday squad on Wednesday evening entirely, though he will likely be available for selection against the Owls.

Danny Rohl has issued that the Owls have no fresh injuries heading into the Steel City derby, meanwhile, experienced campaigners Nathaniel Chalobah and Michael Ihiekwie have both returned to training.

HULL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 13: Gustavo Hamer of Sheffield United looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City AFC and Sheffield United FC at MKM Stadium on September 13, 2024 in Hull, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Sheffield United’s star player for this game

The player I think will impact the game the most from a Sheffield United persuasion is Gustavo Hamer. He has the standout qualities to win any game of football, especially a Sheffield derby. Hamer is a player that has extraordinary passes or goals in his locker, and given United’s history of scoring some crackers in this feisty fixture, perhaps Hamer can add to that list.

So much of the Blades’ play runs through Hamer; he has four goals and an assist in his ten Championship starts this season. And, he’s the home side’s most frequent shooter, averaging 2.7 shots per game and a shot on target per game as well.

The script for Sunday is a simple one, United will have to try and break down a Wednesday side that will sit in a compact shape, trying to frustrate the Blades, and then hope to hit them in transition.

But, Wednesday can’t really afford to sit too deep because of the quality from distance of Hamer, and even Oliver Arblaster.

Sheffield Wednesday’s star player for this game

There’s two players I’m focusing on for Sheffield Wednesday, and Barry Bannan isn’t one of them; I just can’t see the Owls having much of the ball for the midfielder to actually impact the game from an offensive point of view.

The players in question are Josh Windass, their top scorer with four goals, and Michael Smith. Windass, despite being a bang average Championship player, always seems to come up with a goal when the Owls need it the most. Also, it’s going to be absolutely crucial for Wednesday to have a player that can link the play between the midfield and lone forward, which I expect to be Michael Smith.

Wednesday, if the pattern of the game goes as I expect, will be relying on quick tempo attacks and counters. And in order for this to be effective, Smith will have to act as a rebound board, in basic terms, to lay the ball off to runners from midfield such as Windass, and then they build from there.

My view

As stated above, I thoroughly expect the ball to be dominated by the Blades. Not only are they the home side in this Steel City derby, they average 49% of the ball, while the Owls sit fourth-lowest in possession stats. However, Wednesday are the second-most direct team in the league, and they are fourth in crosses attempted per game.

On the other hand, United play a more patient game, even in the final third, and they accumulate the fourth-most successful passes in the final third in the Championship.

When they do get into the final third, they do carve out shooting opportunities, averaging 4.6 shots on target per game (third-highest). This could be a problem for Wednesday because they are giving up the fifth-most expected goals per game, and the joint-most per shot taken from the opposition. Wednesday, meanwhile, are averaging less than four shots on target per game, and United’s defence are giving up the third-least amount of shots on target.

One last notable aspect I want to point out, the Blades are generating four shots per game from set pieces alone. Wednesday just so happen to be the worst defensive team from set-pieces in the Championship, giving up 0.64 goals per game, and the second-highest xG number for that matter.

My prediction

With all things considered, it is one of the biggest derbies in British football so the form book will be chucked out of the window to some extent. But, the stats do show some glaring strengths, weaknesses and style of play tendencies from each team.

My prediction is going to be a boring 0-0, partly because the previous three contests have ended goalless, but also because I don’t want to jinx anything…