Sheff Wed vs Sheff Utd predictions: Stalemate on the cards at Hillsborough
Ross Kilvington
Sheff Wed are without a win in nine Championship games
Sheff Utd have won just two of their last eight matches
Recommended bet: Draw
The first Steel City derby of the season promises to be a unique one as both Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United currently find themselves in the relegation zone after 15 matches of the Championship campaign.
The Owls are currently in administration and have suffered a 12-point deduction as they prop up the table on -4 points.
Chris Wilder's Blades have not exactly been much better. They may have undergone a mini-revival of sorts after rehiring their former boss, but they have still won just three Championship matches all season.
The game could well turn into a scrappy, cagey affair on Sunday.
The latest Sheff Wed vs Sheff Utd odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Wednesday will be missing several players for the first derby of the season. Di'Shon Bernard, Nathaniel Chalobah, Ernie Weaver, Olaf Kobacki and George Brown are all sidelined.
The Blades could have Gustavo Hamer, Oliver Arblaster and Thahith Chong back for the match on Sunday, giving Wilder's side a major boost.
United secured the signing of former Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford a few weeks ago and he will add something extra to their attack between now and the end of the season.
The stats
The two Sheffield clubs have endured dismal starts to the campaign, which is further evidenced by some damning statistics.
Indeed, the Blades have scored the fewest goals out of any Championship side this term (11), with the Owls not far behind with just 12 goals scored.
Defensively, the two clubs have the worst records in the second tier. Wednesday have conceded 29 goals, while the United defence has been breached 26 times this season.
The Blades do have a much better record in this fixture over the previous few years.
Wilder's men have won three of the previous six clashes between the two teams, although only eight goals have been scored during those games.
Three matches finished goalless, while the last time more than one goal was scored in this fixture came all the way back in September 2017, when United won 4-2.
The latest Sheffield Wednesday vs Sheffield United odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Given the recent history between the two clubs, do not expect there to be much in this match at Hillsborough on Sunday.
It could be a case of both teams avoiding defeat rather than either side going out to try and win the match and claim a rare three points.
The Owls have drawn five matches this season, while the Blades have recorded just a solitary stalemate.
A boisterous home crowd may well give Wednesday a slight advantage, but this match has the makings of a drab stalemate written all over it.
Do not be surprised to see both teams emerge from the game with a point apiece.
