Nerves of Steel required at Hillsborough
Sheffield will come to a standstill on Monday night as the city’s bitter rivals square up in the Steel City Derby. And there’s more than just local pride up for grabs…
Blades to make the cut?
Time and again questions have been asked of Sheffield United’s promotion credentials and time and again they’ve come up with the goods.
Last weekend’s 1-0 victory win at promotion rivals West Brom was another huge test passed with flying colours and their fourth victory in five. Chris Wilder’ team are more than holding their own in the shake-up for the top two spots and remain on course for a fairytale return to the big time.
This is the Championship though! Nothing can be taken for granted and United face a pivotal week with a trip to Leeds next on the horizon. Can they hold their nerve?
Wednesday reborn
Whisper it quietly but Sheffield Wednesday could still sneak a play-off place. Championship expert and ex Blade himself, Steve Bruce, has presided over a six-match unbeaten sequence since taking the reins at Hillsborough to see the Owls perched just six points off 6th place.
In keeping with his usual pragmatic approach, Bruce has got to work on the defence and tightening up the team in general. Granted, it’s not so easy on the eye but four clean sheets in six has helped breed confidence among a rejuvenated set of players.
Never mind trying to halt United ‘s promotion bid, Bruce’s Wednesday could be on to something probably sooner than he and everybody else expected. He’d rather his team’s progress continues to go under the radar but a positive result here will only see hopes heightened.
More than ever at stake
Steel City Derbies rarely fail to deliver in intensity and being closely fought - the fact four of the last six have finished all square says as much.
There’s so much riding on this one though that the sides cancelling each other out is a distinct possibility. This isn’t to say it will be any less captivating of course!
We know Bruce will focus his side on keeping things tight and putting another clean sheet on the board - this is their best chance of a favourable result. Four clean sheets in the last five for visiting ‘keeper Dean Henderson meanwhile, shows just how well he has been marshalling his backline of late.
Match betting tip
With so much at stake, neither side will want to go behind first and so I can see this being tight and tetchy for long periods.
It’s always difficult to call a derby where we know anything can happen. Something tells me this will be a tense affair though where goals are in short supply.
Tip: Under 2.5 goals @ 4/5 (1.81) with Unibet
Good luck!
