Sheffield Wednesday already have the upper hand this season having claimed a 1-0 victory last October at Hillsborough when Dave Watson capitalized on a costly error by Blades keeper Paddy Kenny.
The Blades will be eager to stop an Owls side that could potentially break the record books, our rivals from across the city haven't completed the double over United since 1914, and in the same token haven't won at Bramall Lane since 1967 - not that we wish jinx our chances before kick-off, we felt it was a statistic that needed to be mentioned.
They did however come close last season, a 2-0 win over United at Hillsborough put them in good stead for the tie at United, and looked further more of breaking Blades hearts when on loan midfielder Adam Bolder slipped twice past Kenny. The win looked inevitable until Richard Wood struck into his own net and in the final minute of the game James Beattie struck in a stunning free-kick to save the game for United.
Kevin Blackwell heads into this fixture on back of a 2-1 win at Southampton, but it didn't go without complications; travelling the day before was tough with roads and airports shut but eventually got their via a long coach trip. Things were going to plan on the day when Greg Halford headed following Brian Howard's fine cross.
United's plans turned sour shortly before the break when Darius Henderson was shown his marching orders for an off the ball incident - and in the final minute of the game the Saints made it 1-1 when Andrew Surman slammed home. That looked to have settled the game until super substitute Jamie Ward struck the ball home three minutes into added time.
It now means that striker Darius Henderson will sit out a three match ban and will miss the following fixtures against; Sheffield Wednesday, Hull City (FAC5) and Plymouth Argyle.
If United want to win this fixture then undoubtedly they will need to put in a fine performance, unlike that of 10 days ago when Doncaster Rovers left the Lane with a 1-0 victory in an unacceptable display by United. However a decent display last weekend brought a 0-0 draw at Preston despite Stephen Quinn seeing his goal disallowed for offside.
Sheffield United are likely to hand new striker Arturo Lupoli a home debut, the Italian has joined on loan until the remainder of the 2008/09 season; he has also previously had loan spells at Derby County and Norwich City having started his career with Palma and then Arsenal.
Captain Chris Morgan limped off the field early in that draw at Deepdale with a hamstring strain and is likely to miss this encounter. Meanwhile Blades boss Kevin Blackwell will field a team without midfielder Gary Speed (back), Ugo Ehiogu (Achilles) and ex-Wednesday full-back Derek Geary (knee) who are all out for the remainder of the season.
Geary, 28 signed professional terms with Sheffield Wednesday having joined from Irish side Rivermount in November 1997 but didn't make his Owls debut until September 2000 in a 3-1 win at Oldham Athletic in the League Cup (along with Alan Quinn and Owen Morrison). He moved to Stockport County on a free transfer in July 2004 having made 116 (+11) appearances, scoring no goals. His stay at Edgley Park didn't last long either - only three months before he arrived at Bramall Lane in a £25,000 move.
Leigh Bromby, 28 may make his full home debut against his former club. The defender came through the youth team at Hillsborough; signing in August 1999 but following relegation to League One was allowed to leave on a free transfer, and along with Alan Quinn signed for United on the same day in June 2004. In all Bromby made 117 (+3) appearances and scored twice.
Possible Blades Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, Kyle Naughton, Leigh Bromby, Matthew Kilgallon, Gary Naysmith, Greg Halford, Brian Howard, Nick Montgomery, Stephen Quinn, Billy Sharp, Arturo Lupoli.
Sheffield United vs. Sheffield Wednesday
Saturday, 7 February 2009
@ Bramall Lane, Kick-off: 12:00pm
Sheffield Wednesday come into this fixture at Bramall Lane having faced Barnsley seen their South Yorkshire derby with Barnsley (at Hillsborough) postponed due to the heavy snow fall which fell over last weekend.
Owls boss Brian Laws will no doubt consider his squad as 'down to the bare bones' due to injuries and suspensions and may invest in the loan market; the club replied heavily last year on borrowed players and may have to do so again.
They are without striker Francis Jeffers who serves the second of a three match ban after the former Everton and Arsenal forward was shown a straight red card for violent conduct in the Owls 2-1 loss at Nottingham Forest; he missed the 1-1 draw with Birmingham City and will now sit out the Steel City Derby and next weeks clash at the Keepmoat Stadium against Doncaster Rovers
However American defender Frankie Simek (hamstring) has returned to training and may be fit enough to make the substitutes bench; and Richard Hinds (broken leg) looks to have recovered from his injury and has featured on the bench for the last few games.
Missing for the visitors are; Etienne Esajas (broken toe), Akpo Sodje (hamstring) and Liam McMenamin (hip) which has given opportunities to loan duo Darren Potter and Michael Gray (both from Wolverhampton Wanderers) to prove a point in the Championship during there loan spells; but since then both have agreed permanent deals.
Possible Owls Line-Up: Lee Grant, Mark Beevers, Richard Wood, Michael Gray, Lewis Buxton, Tommy Spurr, James O'Connor, Darren Potter, Jermaine Johnson, Leon Clarke, Marcus Tudgay.