Sheffield Wednesday v Sheffield United preview: Steel City derby live on Sky Sports

Sunday 24 September 2017 15:45, UK

Sheffield Wednesday pair Sam Hutchinson and Almen Abdi could both return to contention for Sunday's derby clash against city rivals Sheffield United, live on Sky Sports Football on Sunday.

Hutchinson has missed the last seven games due to a knee problem and fellow midfielder Abdi has been sidelined since the end of August with knee and abductor injuries.

Skipper Glenn Loovens has returned to training following a hip injury but it remains to be seen whether Sunday will come too soon for the central defender. Forward Fernando Forestieri (knee) and midfielder George Boyd (shoulder) are both recovering from surgery.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder refused to divulge any team news ahead of his side's trip along the A61. Wilder has not been able to hide the fact that he is in the midst of a striking crisis which saw Billy Sharp, Clayton Donaldson, Leon Clarke, James Hanson and Caolan Lavery miss the 1-0 defeat to Norwich through injury.

The latter two are definitely out again, but if Sharp, Donaldson and Clarke are absent, it means Ched Evans is the only recognised striker for the Blades - and even he needs knee surgery. The Blades will be able to call on midfielder Paul Coutts after no further action was taken against him by the Football Association following an off-the-ball incident in the game with Norwich.

Opta stats

The Owls have only lost one of their last seven home league meetings with Steel City rivals Sheffield United (W4 D2).

The Blades have only won one of their last eight league games against Sheffield Wednesday (D3 L4), with Kevin Blackwell's side winning 3-2 in September 2009.

Wednesday haven't lost to United on a Sunday in a league match since April 2001, winning three and drawing three since.

Blades striker Billy Sharp is one of just three players in the Championship to have scored with their left foot, right foot and head this season, along with Britt Assombalonga and Joe Garner.

Sheffield Wednesday frontman Gary Hooper has scored in four consecutive league games for the first time since February 2008 while playing for Hereford (five in a row).

Sheffield United will be looking to win three consecutive Championship away games for the first time since December 2007.

Prutton's prediction

The first Steel City derby in more than five years and what an occasion this is going to be! Sheffield United find themselves ahead of Sheffield Wednesday in the table heading into the weekend, but the Blades are surely underdogs at Hillsborough.

The Blades have had a cracking start to the season, despite being beaten by Norwich at home last week, and Chris Wilder will send his side out to attack on Sunday.

That could play into Wednesday's hands, though, who have found a bit of form lately and I think they'll get the three points.

Prutton predicts: 3-1 with Gary Hooper to score first (55/1 with Sky Bet)