STEEL CITY PRIDE AT STAKE

OWLS AND BLADES RENEW HOSTILITIES IN THIRD TIER

As the media circus gathers momentum, we head into the 125^th Steel City derby with the formbook definitely pointing towards the team in blue and white.

Gary Megson’s men are in the middle of a four-match winning streak and have been unstoppable at fortress Hillsborough this season with an unblemished 100% record.

In stark contrast, the Blades, under the stewardship of ex-Owls player and manager Danny Wilson (a fact that those of a blue and white persuasion will be eager to point out more so this week, than any other), have wilted recently since their early season spurt.

They head into the clash on the back of a tight win against local rivals Rotherham, which followed defeats to Charlton, Wycombe and Huddersfield in recent weeks. Those setbacks combined with Wednesday’s fantastic form lately will tempt many to punt on an away win this coming Sunday.

However, as the old cliché goes “you can throw the formbook out the window in derbies”.

The game will be unpredictable, as most derbies are, but with the added spice of both teams being serious promotion contenders and Wilson’s personal history this promises to be one of the most explosive steel city derbies in recent years.

With a capacity crowd expected at Bramall Lane on Sunday, and around 10,000 flocking to S6 for a beam-back of the game, there is no shortage of interest in this match, which has all the ingredients to be an explosive encounter.

KEY BATTLES

Madine v Collins

Madine has been prolific this season with 10 goals under his belt so far, and will take some stopping by the experienced Collins.

Ironically, Collins made his Blades debut in this fixture during an initial loan spell five years ago, before making the switch permanent this season.

Marshall v Williams

It will be an intriguing battle between the two loan stars on Sunday. Speed merchant Marshall likes to expose full-backs but will come up against a tough challenge in Williams, who is no slouch.

Marshall has already bagged two goals this season but will have to get the better of the Reading loanee in order to make that three.

Quinn v Semedo

The Portuguese lynchpin will be given the unenviable task of marshalling the livewire Quinn.

Semedo has put in some impressive performances so far, with the ability to break up play and protect the defence, but on Sunday he will come up against arguably one of the best players in the division.

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Blades

Simonsen - Lowton, Maguire, Collins, Williams - Doyle or Flynn, Quinn, Montgomery, McDonald, Porter, Evans

Owls

Bywater, Bennet or R Johnson, Batth, R Jones, Buxton, Semedo, Lines, O'Connor, Marshall, Madine, McGoldrick or O'Grady

LAST MEETING

SHEFF WED 1-1 SHEFF UTD – April 2010

The two sides last met 18 months ago in a 1-1 draw at Hillsborough.

Darren Potter volleyed the Owls in front before half-time but Lee Williamson’s free-kick levelled proceedings in a result which ultimately relegated the Owls.

The Blades followed suit 12 months later, joining their neighbours in the third tier.

DID YOU KNOW?

Of the Sheffield Wednesday 18-man squad which took part in that 1-1 draw back in April 2010, only four are still on the club’s books.