Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder will be hoping to mastermind a double over the Owls.
Sheffield United will return to the Championship’s top six – if only until Saturday afternoon – with a win against city rivals Sheffield Wednesday the night before.
United, who topped the table in late October, have only won one of their last nine league fixtures – a run which coincides with Paul Coutts’ absence.
That being said, the Blades – who should not require any extra motivation to inflict further damage on their beleaguered neighbours – are likely to be buoyed by a trio of new signings this week, two in Coutts’ position.
Whether either of those – Ryan Leonard and Lee Evans – will start against the Owls remains to be seen, however, especially with John Lundstram slowly growing into the role surrendered by his Scottish teammate.
Wilder’s only real concern remains the absence of David Brooks – who terrorised Wednesday at Hillsborough in September – and the Sheffield United boss must weigh up whether to deploy an extra midfielder or striker in place of the Welshman.
If it’s the latter, he’ll be intrigued to know that striker Clayton Donaldson has scored three goals in seven meetings with the Owls for former clubs.
Here’s how HITC Sport suspects United could look at Bramall Lane:
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