Sheffield, as a city, is divided between Wednesday and United. Both sides are on the up in their respective divisions. Sheffield Wednesday are in League One and in the play-off positions but Sheffield United are in the Championship in the same positions as them; occupying a play-off position.
However, it is a proud moment for the city itself with both clubs doing so well and looking to gain promotion to the Championship or the Premier League. What are the chances that both Sheffield sides will gain promotion this season?
Sheffield United
Starting with the Championship side, but no preference to United for any Wednesday fans, they are currently 5th in the league with a game in hand of their nearest rivals in 6th, Blackburn Rovers. United have had a great season following relegation and have responded well to being the whipping boys of the Premier League last year.
There was no expectation for United to bounce straight back up after going through a transition of players. Losing the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, John Lundstrum, Lys Mousset, Phil Jagielka and still the loss of Jack O’Connell to injury has hit the squad a lot.
However, Paul Heckingbottom has done very well with this squad and got them challenging near the top of the league rather than drifting down the leagues like they did after 2006 up until Premier League promotion in 2019. Former manager Chris Wilder worked wonders with this Sheffield United side before struggling last season.
There are still eight games to go in the season and if United are to grab the play offs or even better automatic promotion they will need to perfect their form. Prior to the international break they had only won two in the last six games. They will need to improve their form if they are to clinch the play offs at least.
Sheffield Wednesday
Away from Bramhall Lane is Hillsborough, home to Sheffield Wednesday and a side who are enjoying a successful season as well. Currently they occupy the last play off place but are on joint points with Oxford United who are in 5th. It looks like automatic promotion is out of the question, but they have to keep up their decent form if they are to solidify their place in the play offs this year.
With Sunderland breathing down their necks, Wednesday will be hoping to carry on where they left off after brushing Cheltenham Town aside 4-1 last weekend.
A return to the Championship at the first time of asking is exactly what Wednesday want and could quite easily achieve if experienced playmaker Barry Bannan can keep up his form and Saido Berahino can find the net on a consistent basis until the end of the season, then they will make the play offs.
Will both go up?
It is certainly looking that way! There might be a playoff weekend to remember for the city. New betting offers has both sides to be promoted (as a double) at 11/1 and these odds look like they could be worth a punt. Will there be joy in the city if both sides go up? Probably not, they will miss a good local derby and see their rivals reveling in the joy. Only way https://www.newbettingsites.uk/they will see a derby is if Wednesday go up and United do not. I cannot see that going down too well on the red side of the city.
