Former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock is sure to receive a hot reception on Friday evening when he takes his Leeds United team back to the city to play Sheffield Wednesday (Sheff Wed 5/4, draw 12/5, Leeds 21/10) but will he have the last laugh and come away from Hillsborough with the points?
Warnock enjoyed an eight year spell with Sheffield United, his boyhood club, between 1999 and 2007, guiding them to the League and FA Cup semi finals in 2003 and a lone season in the Premier League during the 2006/07 campaign. His appearance in the away dugout on Friday night therefore will add even more spice to what is already set to be a feisty Yorkshire encounter.
The Owls secured promotion back to the Championship in dramatic fashion last May, nudging ahead of their near neighbours United on the final day of the season. But their return to England’s second tier has been a chastening one of late. The Yorkshire club have won just twice in the league all season and are without a victory in eight games across all competitions.
Their lowly position of 22nd suggests this season is set to be a long and arduous one unless boss Dave Jones can turn things around quickly. The former Southampton and Wolves manager was only appointed as Gary Megson’s successor in March, but knows a defeat on Friday could put his future at risk.
Should Wednesday lose and other results go against them, they could easily find themselves bottom of the table come Monday morning.
Leeds United meanwhile are gathering a head of steam ahead of what could be a sustained challenge for the play-off positions. They have risen up to seventh place following a four-game unbeaten run, while they also overcame Premier League side Everton in the Capital One Cup in September.
However, Wednesday fans will be hoping the form book goes out of the window when the two teams take to the field. The influence of 30,000 home supporters in a sell-out crowd could prove pivotal.
The last time these two sides met at Hillsborough was way back in 2006, when Leeds came away with a 1-0 victory. The Owls had their revenge in the return meeting at Elland Road however, winning 3-2 in March 2007.
Of the 42 games played in South Yorkshire, The Owls have recorded 20 wins while United have come away with 13 victories. Local derbies are always difficult to predict and despite the two teams’ contrasting form, the support of the home crowd should act as a great leveller.
Warnock thrives under such adversity though and he will expect some big game performances from some of his star players. This looks a game where the fear of losing overrides everything else, meaning the draw looks a decent bet. The 0-0 draw is priced at a tempting 15/2, with even more value found in the half-time/full time market.
Wednesday will no doubt come flying out of the blocks, but questions remain over their ability to sustain a level of performance over 90 minutes, meaning Leeds should be allowed back into the game. The Sheff Wed/draw HT/FT bet is tantalisingly placed at 12/1 and is worth considering.
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