There are many cities arcoss the country that have big football derbies and the Sheffield derby between United and Wednesday is one of the biggest of them. City bragging rights are up for grabs here and we may be beginning to see a changing of the guard, with United taking over. Last season these two met twice, with United winning one and the other game ending in a draw.

Current league positions certainly give United the advantage this season, although as we all know, league form can often be thrown out of the window when it comes to derby games. Having said that, there is a clear gap between the two, and a difference in the direction they are heading right now. United are up in 3rd place, and have spent time at the top of the table recently. A run of just one win in their last four has taken them away from top, but they are still in there fighting and look capable of pushing for promotion this season.

That is in stark contrast to Sheffield Wednesday, who started poorly, then came good and now have reverted to playing their worst football of the season. They have dropped down the table, and are now in 17th position, with a run of four defeats in a row.

The actual gap in terms of quality on paper between these two teams is probably fairly small, but there is no doubt that when you take into account current form, there is a huge gap between them at the moment.

The History of the Sheffield Derby

It may seem strange to think, especially for the ones that have struggled, but because both of these teams have had tough times and relegation to League One, this has added to the Sheffield derby. Compare it to the Manchester derby for example, which happens this weekend, because those two clubs have been consistently in the Premier League for many years now, they play each other twice a season, with the potential for more meetings if they are drawn out in cup games together.

Before the teams met last season, they had not played a game against each other since February 2012. That made those games last season very special for the fans, and I am sure we will see some of that coming through once again when they meet this season.

The first meeting last season came at Bramall Lane and to be honest it was quite a poor game considering the build up surrounding it. There is every chance that the players got distracted and couldn’t play their own football because there was a lot of talk about the game, and when they met for a second time things were much better, well, for United fans at least. The Blades went to Hillsborough and won away against Sheffield Wednesday for the first time since 2006, much to the delight of their fans. That 4-2 win was enough to give United fans the bragging rights of the city, something they ensured that their neighbours knew about.

Coming into the new season, both teams felt like they had a chance of promotion, but neither were considered strong favourites to get into the Premier League. This looks a long was off what we are seeing from Wednesday at the moment, while United are probably playing a little better than most people imagined, and they do look as though they could contend this season. Promotion to the Premier League, and bragging rights over their neighbours would be seen as a huge season for United, and they will be looking to tick off the first game against Wednesday as a win on Friday night.

Are Sheffield United Genuine Promotion Candidates?

Last season was the first back in the Championship for Sheffield United, and they made impressive strides. This season they appear to have gone even further, and they look as though they could contend for promotion, alongside some of the biggest clubs in England. There is no doubt that United have done very well both on and off the field since returning to the Championship, and the Premier League is certainly in their sights.

While other clubs were splashing big money on players, something their city rivals Wednesday have been guilty of, United quietly went about their business, strengthening the areas of their squad that needed it. They haven’t brought in any big names, or spent huge on one single player, instead they have identified the right targets needed to fill the right holes.

It has been quite a reserved approach from United in comparison to other clubs in the division, but it is certainly one that is paying dividends for them. They may look to spend more money in January, if they are still in contention at the top and that wouldn’t be a surprise at all. The foundations have been laid and they look solid, Sheffield United are pushing for promotion and if they don’t achieve it this season, they look set to challenge for many more seasons until they reach the top flight.

Sheffield United vs Sheffield Wednesday Betting Tips

Like I have said earlier, when you compare these two teams on paper, there is probably not too much between them, however when you look at how they are playing right now, the gap is very wide. Sheffield United come here on a high, and they are playing some very good football. Wednesday are the opposite, they are playing very poorly, they were beaten 4-0 at home last weekend and they will not be looking forward to this at all, neither will their fans.

There is a lot to like about how United have conducted themselves off the pitch, and the foundations they have laid. They are not throwing everything into promotion this season, they are building bit by bit to ensure they can challenge for promotion for a number of years, this is sensible management from them. They are in great form right now, their strategy is paying dividends and I think they are going to be rewarded with a good win on Friday night against their local rivals.

Wednesday are in a mess right now, and United will be eager to take advantage of that. Not only do I think United will win the game, but I think they will do it comfortably, so I am backing them to win on the -1 handicap line. This means United have to win by two goals or more, but that is something I am more than confident in them doing, they appear to have a great chance of landing the first blow against their city rivals.

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