On Sky
Sheffield United will host the first Steel City derby of the season on Friday, in the hope of finally gaining some revenge for the previous two seasons, where the Blades have lost three and drawn one of the four encounters.
For the first time since 2003, when Michael Brown’s volley helped United to a 3-1 win the Bramall Lane fixture will be televised.
Both sides have started the season impressively, United losing only one game (at Coventry Wednesday), and the Owls just two.
Vital Quotes:
Kevin Blackwell:
Speaking about Matt Kilgallon’s absence from the Blades midweek fixture: ‘Matt has a severe chest infection and so he is back home and we will wait and see.’
Darren Purse
“As soon as you get on the pitch, you forget about any tiredness because more often than not the adrenaline will get you through the game.
“It’s been a tough week for us, not just with the games, but the results as well, so it would be nice to sign off with a win against our local rivals.”
Ched Evans
“This one is bigger in my opinion.
“Sheffield isn’t as big as Manchester but its game is. Everyone is buzzing and the lads are really up for it. You can feel it when we come in for training.
“Two teams from the same place who both regard this as their biggest game of the season.
“It’s doesn’t get much better than that.
“Don’t get me wrong, it was important over there too, but from what I’ve experienced so far this is different.
Sheffield United Team News:
The Blades are sweating on the fitness of central defender Matt Kilgallon, who missed Tuesday’s defeat with a chest infection, amidst speculation he could be on his way out of Bramall Lane.
Andy Taylor was withdrawn at Coventry and could be replaced by Jordan Stewart if he isn’t fit for Saturday.
United are expected to revert to a 4-4-2 formation, with either James Harper or Stephen Quinn dropping out, to be replaced by Ched Evans.
Expected team: Bunn, Walker, Kilgallon, Morgan, Taylor, Ward, Montgomery, Quinn, Treacy, Henderson, Evans.
Player to watch: Jamie Ward
Following an impressive pre season, Jamie Ward is the player in form for the Blades, despite being forced out onto the wing. Two excellent goals against Reading and Coventry will have given the Northern Ireland international added confidence as he comes up against last year’s goalscorer Tommy Spurr.
Sheffield Wednesday Team News:
Sheffield Wednesday could be struggling at the back for Friday’s game. Richard Wood and Mark Beevers both picked up injurys this week, which could mean that Darren Purse partners Richard Hinds at the back, despite a calamitous performance at home to Middlesborough.
Player to watch: Jermaine Johnson
The Jamaican winger has hit some form this season, and his ability to turn a left back inside out is all too familiar to Blades fans after Chris Armstrong’s horrorshow in 2007.
Match Facts & Stats
The Last time:
Sheffield United 1-2 Sheffield Wednesday
The Owls completed a derby day double last season thanks to ‘lucky’ strike from range by Marcus Tudgay. Arturo Lupoli had previously equalised for the Blades following Tommy Spurr’s opener in the first minute.
Ref Watch:
Alan Wiley will take charge of Friday’s encounter, and Blades will be hoping for a less controversial performance than Mike Dein’s at Hillsborough last season.
Match Prediction:
We have been running a competition on the Facebook group this week, and now it’s the members turn to get involved. Correctly predict the scoreline of Friday’s game and win Blades goodies courtesy of Vital Sheff Utd
Blades Win:
Dominic Ellis 2-1
Jane Coates Was Senior 2-0
Paul Greenwood 1-0
Steve Turner 3-1
James Mcmanus 1-0
Debbie Shepherd 3-0
Nick Lupton 3-0
Lee Marsden 3-1
Mike Brown 2-1
Dave Clarke 5-0
Craig Castle 4-2
Jason Turner 2-0
Gez Wales 3-1
Lance Fiander 4-1
Brian Mangnall 2-1
David Bray 3-0
Clive Hardwick 3-1
David Byrne 2-0
Gilly Watts 2-1
DantheBlade 1-0
TheBladesWay 2-0
gleadlessblade 2-0
gloucblade 1-0
Patrick Flanagan 4-0
Aaron Munshi 2-1
Mark A West 3-1
Callum Willis 3-1
SmiggySWFC 3-0 (Even they realise)
Nikki Turner 3-0
John Nortcliffe 2-0
Lance Fiander 4-1
Natalie Hall 2-1
Draw:Bladesman1889 1-1
If two or more people predict the correct result, the winner will be chosen at random.
Next Fixtures:
The Blades will be in action next Saturday (26th) with a trip to Swansea City, where Chris Morgan rescued a point last season following Darius Henderson’s red card.