EFL pundit reveals how Sheffield Wednesday can beat Sheffield United as score prediction made | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday will host rivals Sheffield United on Sunday

EFL pundit Sam Parkin has predicted Sheffield Wednesday to earn a point with a 1-1 draw at home to rivals Sheffield United this weekend.

The Owls will host Chris Wilder’s side on Sunday in the Steel City derby in what will be the first game since the soft deadline of Friday for indicative bids to take over the club.

Henrik Pedersen’s side were handed an automatic 12 point deduction penalty by the EFL for going into administration in October, which has left them rooted to the bottom of the Championship table.

The mood around Hillsborough has improved despite going into administration, with Dejphon Chansiri’s time with the club now over, and the sense that better times could be on the horizon under a new owner.

Meanwhile, Sheffield United will be seeking a victory as they look to build momentum and get out of the relegation zone following their own difficult start to the season.

Sam Parkin predicts Sheffield Wednesday v Sheffield United

Parkin has highlighted Sheffield United’s lack of goals so far this season as evidence that Sheffield Wednesday can get their first home win of the year on Sunday.

However, the former Swindon Town forward-turned-pundit has predicted a 1-1 draw between the two rivals, suggesting Pedersen’s side will need to be at their very best in order to claim all three points this weekend.

“Sheffield United aren’t in a great place at all, that’s the understatement of the year, they’re not scoring goals, they’re still the lowest scorers,” said Parkin, via Benjamin Bloom’s YouTube channel.

“So, I think there is a way [Sheffield Wednesday] can win.

“They’re going to have to play out of their skin because they haven’t won at Hillsborough yet, but obviously this is going to be a brilliant atmosphere.

“I think it’s going to be broadcast, it’s going to be a really good occasion given everything that’s happened the last couple of weeks.

“So hopefully they can make a real fist of it.

“Sheffield United are the marginal favourites, I’m going to give them the draw here, and that’s just purely on the way Sheffield United have started the season and recent results under Wilder. 1-1.”

Sheffield Wednesday are on minus four points following the 12 point deduction penalty they received from the EFL.

The gap to the Blades is currently 14 points after 15 games played, with Wilder’s side sitting 22nd in the table.

Victory could move the visitors out of the relegation zone, but it would require a big swing in goal difference, as well as a defeat for Oxford United in their home clash against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

The two sides will meet at Hillsborough on Sunday in a 12pm kick-off.

Sheffield Wednesday victory would keep the positive atmosphere going

The mood around Hillsborough has improved with the news that Chansiri’s time at the club is over, but a win on Sunday would really propel the Owls forward.

Relegation is still a near-certainty when taking into account the gap to safety and the squad currently available to Pedersen.

Their form would have the team bottom of the table even without the 12 point deduction, as they have won just one of their 15 fixtures.

Sheffield United must take the opportunity to beat their rivals away from home while they’re at such a low point, but the momentum behind Sheffield Wednesday off the pitch may be enough to power the team to a win on the pitch this weekend.