Sheffield Wednesday vs Sheffield United predictions: Blades look value in Steel City derby
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- Sheffield Wednesday came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Norwich on Tuesday
- Sheffield United will go level on points with leaders Leeds if they win at Hillsborough
- Recommended bet: Sheffield United to win
Sheffield Wednesday have enjoyed a couple of impressive away wins in their last two Championship outings, beating Plymouth 3-0 and Norwich 3-2.
However, the Owls have celebrated only five league victories at home this term and their fans will be desperate for a positive result against derby rivals Sheffield United.
The injury-hit Blades have the best away record in the division and they need a win to keep pace with automatic-promotion rivals Leeds and Burnley.
Team news
Sheffield Wednesday could name the same team that started the midweek win over Norwich as Akin Famewo, Stuart Armstrong, Yan Valery, Anthony Musaba and Di'Shon Bernard remain sidelined.
Sheffield United are missing Alfie Gilchrist, Harry Clarke, Oliver Arblaster, Jamie Shackleton and Tom Davies.
Vinicius Souza and Rhys Norrington-Davies are major doubts but striker Tyrese Campbell and midfielder Gustavo Hamer are pushing for starts.
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The stats
Sheffield Wednesday's last five Championship games have featured over 2.5 goals.
The Owls have won only five of their 18 home league fixtures this season.
Both teams have scored in Wednesday's last six Championship home matches.
Sheffield United have won seven of their last eight Championship away games.
Three of the Blades' last five away wins were by a 2-1 scoreline.
Sheffield United have opened the scoring in each of their last eight league matches.
Prediction
Sheffield United's results have arguably been more impressive than their performances this season but it is still a surprise to see them priced up as underdogs to beat Sheffield Wednesday.
While the Blades rarely outclass their opponents, they have a knack of grinding out narrow wins and 14 of their 24 victories have been by a 1-0 or 2-1 scoreline.
Tyrese Campbell's goal early in the second half gave United a 1-0 win over Wednesday in November's derby at Bramall Lane and they should be backed to complete a league double over their local rivals.
Wednesday have lost all seven of their games against the Championship's top four this season and they have scored only one goal in those defeats.
Home advantage should not be overrated in this fixture as Chris Wilder's Blades have picked up more points on the road than any other Championship club this term.
Wednesday have the second-worst home record in the division and they suffered 2-1 defeats at Hillsborough against Coventry and Sunderland last month, either side of a 4-0 loss at Burnley.
The Owls had to come from 2-0 down to beat Norwich 3-2 at Carrow Road earlier this week but the Blades are unlikely to be so easy to peg back if they strike first.
The promotion contenders have won seven of their last eight road fixtures and they will be eager to take advantage after leaders Leeds dropped points at QPR on Saturday.
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