"I can't make a case" - Carlton Palmer plays down Sheffield Wednesday chances of Sheffield United victory | OneFootball

The Steel City Derby is returning for the first time since 2019

This weekend sees the renewal of one of English football's great rivalries, as Sheffield United face off against Sheffield Wednesday at Bramall Lane.

The upcoming fixture will be the first time a Steel City Derby has played out since March 4, 2019, which, like the two previous encounters between the two bitter rivals, ended in a drab, goalless draw.

However, the landscape of both clubs has drastically changed since then, with the Blades spending three seasons in the Premier League, whilst Wednesday spent two seasons in League One between 2021 and 2023, but they meet again as Championship equals this weekend.

Both sides have also had contrasting starts to the season, as United, despite a two-point deduction ahead of the campaign, sit in second place behind Sunderland, whilst the Owls find themselves in 15th after an inconsistent run of results.

With that being said, Football League World spoke to former Wednesday midfielder, Carlton Palmer, about his prediction heading into the game.

Carlton Palmer expects Sheffield United to have the edge over Sheffield Wednesday

Despite his connections to the Hillsborough outfit, which saw him make over 200 appearances for the club, Palmer expects Chris Wilder's side to have the edge over Danny Rohl's men.

"Obviously, everybody knows I am Sheffield Wednesday through and through.

"I'm a big admirer of Chris Wilder at Sheffield United. I think both managers have done fantastic jobs given the circumstances. But, who at this moment in time would I say is the more consistent and better team? I would have to say Sheffield United.

"It is a derby game, there will be passion. And, if you look at the form of Sheffield United going into this game, they suffered a disappointing defeat to Middlesbrough, but they've gone on to beat Stoke City, Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City in a three-game run.

"If you look at Sheffield Wednesday, they're at a different stage in terms of what they're doing. They got a win at Portsmouth, then they drew at Brentford (in normal time), which was good, imploded against Watford but then beat Norwich, so they're not on a bad run themselves.

"If you take away the nonsense against Watford, they're in a really decent situation.

"I have to say, I can't make a case for Sheffield Wednesday winning the game. The best I can give them is they nick a draw, which would be a fantastic result.

"I'm not going to sit on the fence. Even though I'm a Sheffield Wednesday supporter, it wouldn't surprise me to see Sheffield United win this game.

"When you come to a derby game, it's about keeping your nerve and your discipline. You never know who might get sent off and drawn into a lack of concentration.

"I think it's a very, very difficult game for Sheffield Wednesday. Given where they've come from, mid-table would be a good season for them. But, if you look at Sheffield United, it's promotion and that's where they need to be."

"Given that - forget the fact it's a derby - you would expect Sheffield United to just edge this game."

Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday will both have confidence heading into Sunday

Despite it so often being stated that the formbook counts for nothing ahead of derby games, both sides will come into this clash full of confidence after midweek victories.

Sheffield United will, of course, be expected to have the edge over their local rivals, in particular given the strength of Chris Wilder's squad, who showed their character on Tuesday night when Ryan One and Harrison Burrows turned the game on it's head to spark scenes of jubilation at Ashton Gate.

And, although Wednesday have been inconsistent across the opening 14 games as a whole, they showcased their own resilience to come back from last weekend's 6-2 battering by Tom Cleverley's side with a much more controlled and clinical display against the Canaries.