How Sheffield United can relegate Sheffield Wednesday this month | OneFootball

Sheffield United can relegate Sheffield Wednesday by defeating them later this month, depending on other Championship results.

Sheffield Wednesday have endured a nightmare Championship season so far, which could take another turn for the worse when they meet Steel City rivals Sheffield United later this month.

The Owls remain bottom of the second-tier table on -7 points, following their 1-0 loss at Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday, their 21st league defeat of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Chris Wilder's Blades moved up to 15th in the Championship table with a 3-1 triumph over Oxford United, thanks to goals from Sydie Peck, Andre Brooks, and Chiedozie Ogbene.

Amid their financial struggles, which came thanks to the mismanagement of former owner Dejphon Chansiri, Wednesday's takeover saga could drag on into spring.

Sheffield United can relegate Sheffield Wednesday at Bramall Lane on 22 February

Wednesday have known that relegation to League One has been a certainty all season long, thanks to their point deductions and a series of player exits.

However, an unwanted return to the third tier will hurt the Hillsborough outfit even more if it is inflicted upon them by their fierce cross-city rivals.

That eventuality could be the exact scenario the Owls face, though, depending on other Championship results.

If Wednesday lose to Swansea City and Millwall in their next two games, and either Blackburn Rovers or West Bromwich Albion earn a point in their next two fixtures, Henrik Pedersen's men would be relegated to League One with a defeat at Bramall Lane on 22 February.

The chances of the Owls losing to Sheffield United later this month have arguably been increased after the Blades signed Leo Hjelde, Kalvin Phillips, and Joe Rothwell on transfer deadline day.

Bramall Lane nightmare scenario must give Sheffield Wednesday extra motivation in upcoming fixtures

Wednesday supporters, staff and players alike have suffered a campaign they'd rather forget, which started with a difficult summer that witnessed the departures of former boss Danny Rohl and several key squad members such as Djeidi Gassama and Josh Windass.

The winter transfer window also proved testing for the Owls, who had to deal with the heartbreak of club legend Barry Bannan ending his 10-and-a-half-year stay at Hillsborough to join Millwall.

Wednesday will be hurting from the fact that they have failed to win since their 2-0 victory over Portsmouth back in September, showing that earning a triumph over either Swansea or the Lions in their next two games is unlikely.

However, the Owls' woeful campaign would be significantly worse if Wilder's side put the final nail in their coffin later this month.

Pedersen's men must use the damning prospect of suffering relegation at Bramall Lane as motivation to ensure that they win against either Swansea or Millwall.

Defeating the South Wales side may be more likely than earning a win over Alex Neil's men, as the Lions deservedly occupy a Championship play-off spot and sit just eight points behind league leaders Coventry City.