Crisis-hit Steel City rivals set for unique derby

Henrik Pedersen (left) will lead Sheffield Wednesday in a Steel City derby for the first time, while Chris Wilder is looking to stretch his unbeaten record in the fixture to seven matches

One club's in administration and rock bottom of the Championship on minus four points.

The other's sacked a manager after less than 90 days and already lost more games this season than in the whole of the previous campaign.

This Sunday's Steel City derby between old foes Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United is unlike any other.

BBC Sport takes a look at some of the major sub-plots and talking points after a chaotic start to the season for both clubs.

No points but renewed hope at Hillsborough

Sheffield Wednesday were placed in administration on 24 October to finally bring an end to Dejphon Chansiri's 10-year spell as owner.

Fans had long had enough of the Thai businessman, who failed to pay wages on time in five of his final seven months, with administration and the 12-point penalty that came with it seen as necessary evils.

Although their situation may now seem perilous, in the four weeks since entering administration the news out of the club has been almost universally good.

Supporters who had been boycotting have returned in huge numbers and Sunday's game is expected to be a sell-out.

The club's administrators Begbies Traynor said last week that there were now 10 parties which had shown proof of funds to take the Owls on.

On the pitch there has been just one win so far this season, away at Portsmouth, but despite their very limited resources Henrik Pedersen's men have lost fewer games than both Sunday's opponents and Norwich.

"There's been a big change of energy since the administrator took over," he told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"There is freedom again and there is belief again. People are looking forward to the future. You can feel a different energy in the stadium now."

Sheffield Wednesday fans have welcomed the club being put in administration

The big Blades drop off

No club in the history of the second tier of English football has had a bigger season-on-season drop off at this stage than Sheffield United.

The Blades, who finished third last time out before losing to Sunderland in the play-off final, won 33 points* in their opening 15 games in 2024-25.

This season, 15 games have brought just 10 points.

For context, even allowing for a 12-point deduction, Wednesday only have 22 points fewer than after 15 matches of last season.

Ruben Selles' disastrous appointment in the summer brought six defeats from six games before Chris Wilder was put back in charge less than three months after being sacked.

"It's been a tough period for everyone, most importantly the supporters," he told BBC Radio Sheffield after three wins from his first 10 games.

"I've been disappointed in the results. The performances, from a data point of view, have been pretty good.

"Getting it right has been difficult. I thought it would be easier than it has been but we are working away and we will get to where we want to."

Earlier this month they became the first second tier side since Wimbledon in 2003-04 to lose 11 of their first 14 league games.

Since the second tier rebranded to the Championship in 2004, seven of the 11 teams to have had 10 points from 15 games have been relegated and none have finished above 14th.

*A two-point EFL deduction for missed transfer fees in the 2022-23 season meant the Blades were on 31 points from their 15 games but had won 33.

Can Leeds old boys make immediate impact?

From friends to foes? Former Leeds captain Liam Cooper (left) could go up against ex-Whites striker Patrick Bamford on Sunday

Unusually for a match in November both teams could give debuts to new signings on Sunday.

Wednesday have added to their meagre squad with experienced Scotland international Liam Cooper joining on a deal until the end of the season.

The 34-year-old was a free agent after leaving CSKA Sofia in July and had 10 years at Leeds United before his move to Bulgaria in September 2024.

He shared seven of those 10 years with the new man in at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United have turned to one-time England striker Patrick Bamford to try and help their sorry goals for column.

The Blades are the joint lowest scorers in the EFL, alongside League One strugglers Port Vale, with just 11 goals so far this campaign.

Eyebrows were raised by some when Bamford, released by Leeds in August, joined on a deal until January last week given he has had a couple of previous run-ins with his new boss...

Owls look to scratch 13-year itch

These two teams have often been passing ships in the past 15 years and Sunday's meeting will be just the seventh since February 2012.

Wednesday are without a win in the past six clashes and haven't scored a goal in any of the past five.

Hopes of this weekend's game being a high-scoring affair seem slim given both teams' struggles in front of goal this season and the fact that after a run of three goalless draws in the fixture last season's games both ended 1-0 to United.

Along with Wolves, they are the only side yet to win a home match this season and the Owls have won just two league games in front of their own supporters in 2025.

But if ever there were a game where you can say form and statistics go out of the window then surely this is it?

Wednesday are 17 points adrift of safety and could yet face a further points deduction because of Chansiri's dire tenure. The reality is that the club's priority is securing a competent and well-resourced owner for the challenges ahead more than it is to pick up results.

Sunday presents a chance to put a pin in what has gone before and look forward with renewed optimism and defiance.

A mutual respect

Pedersen was the Owls' assistant last season when they lost both derbies 1-0 to Wilder's side.

The Dane, who acknowledged that Sunday's meeting was "not just a game", credited the job Wilder has done in his three spells at Bramall Lane.

"What they have built up over the last many years is a big inspiration," he said.

"I have a big feeling also for Chris from the human side and respect."

Wilder was filmed singing derogatory chants about then Wednesday boss Danny Rohl after last November's win at Bramall Lane.

He conceded that his emotions "spilled over" after his first home derby win as a manager.

The 58-year-old was though effusive in his praise for the work Pedersen has done since taking over in July.

"The hand that Henrik was dealt was a really tough one - I've been there before at Northampton and at Halifax and I think he has got absolutely everything out of a committed group of players," he said.

"I've got an awful lot of respect for managers who come over from other countries and have to pick up the language, the culture and the environment."