So, so close to the opener for Derby.

Matt Clarke is denied by an opportunist deflection off Tom Lees as he tries to slot home inside the six-yard box.

Goes behind for another Derby corner and more goalmouth scrambles follow for the Owls.

Once more the hosts scrap it clear and survive.

Wednesday show some attacking intent for the first real time.

Adam Reach has the ball played into his feet on the D by Kadeem Harris on the left and he tries a speculative lob.

That won't trouble David Marshall though as it goes easily over the crossbar.

Image source, Rex Features

First save of note from either keeper.

Joe Wildsmith at full stretch to his left to parry away Louie Sibley's shot from distance.

Derby should do better from the follow up as Graeme Shinnie has the ball break to him in space.

But he skews an effort wide right that eventually goes behind for a Nathan Byrne corner that he sends all the way through to the back post without finding a touch.

Wednesday nearly punished for giving the ball away cheaply in their own half.

Colin Kazim-Richards pounced on it but Louie Sibley has an effort from the edge of the box blocked by Moses Odubajo.

Matt Clarke unable to guide a near-post header from the following corner on target.

Derby force a second attacking free-kick of the early stages to the right of Wednesday's penalty box.

Nathan Byrne unable to pick out a team mate with his outswinging delivery and Joe Wildsmith eventually claims it for Wednesday under his own crossbar.

So, a new year and perhaps new hope for sides currently in the bottom reaches of their respective EFL divisions.

Or perhaps a chance to kick on and continue some impressive form for those in the mix at the other end?

What do you wish for your EFL side this new year?

Let us know and of course the team you follow using #bbcefl

Nothing clear cut as yet in terms of chances for either side but some full-bloodied challenges going in.

Both sets of players' encouragement very audible around an empty and cavenous-sounding Hillsborough.

Wednesday clear an early Derby free-kick from the right and Moses Odubajo tries to launch a counter-attack with his pace down the right.

Derby well organised though to get back and clear the danger through Matt Clarke.

Wednesday looking like they've had to change shape to a back four in the absence of Chey Dunkley.

Derby with a 4-3-3 that's given them plenty of joy of late.

It's the Rams seeing most of the ball in these early exchanges.

Matt Donohue is our referee this evening.

After both sides take a knee, we're "ready to go on his whistle" a la John Anderson back in the day on Gladiators.

Who will take the bragging rights this evening?

Teams out on the pitch.

Derby wearing their pinkish away shirt and Wednesday in the traditional blue and white stripes.

BBC local radio

Almost time for kick-off....

Sadly EFL rights restrictions prevent us from streaming live commentary of this match on the BBC Sport website and app.

But, if you are in the transmission area of either BBC Radio Sheffield or BBC Radio Derby this evening, you can tune into full match build-up and commentary from Hillsborough.

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri had a busy New Year's Eve as he spoke with the media for more than two hours on a range of issues at his club.

The sacking of Tony Pulis, points deductions, late payments of player wages, transfer embargoes and financial fair play were all covered at length.

But Chansiri also condemned alleged abuse from some supporters about his running of the club sent to his 12-year-old son on Instagram.

Chansiri warned any repeat of that action would lead to him contacting the police.

Image source, PA Media

Meanwhile in the other dugout this evening, there's another temporary manager of sorts in charge of Derby County.

Wayne Rooney joined the club as player-coach a year ago and has been interim Rams boss since Phillip Cocu departed in mid-November.

A change in ownership is still going on in the background at Pride Park and while that remains the case, the former England captain continues to lead the side.

"It'll be a tough game," Rooney told BBC Radio Derby before heading to Hillsborough this evening.

"It's always tricky to face a side when they've just lost a manager so we'll be expecting a reaction and we'll be ready.

"I'm confident we can go there and get a good result."

Image source, PA Media

Less than a week after Tony Pulis departed Hillsborough, Sheffield Wednesday are looking for their third manager of this Championship campaign.

First-team coach Neil Thompson took charge of the Owls on Tuesday as they defeated Middlesbrough 2-1 and he continues in that caretaker role this evening.

"No matter where you are, football never surprises you," Thompson told BBC Radio Sheffield after that win.

"It's difficult, it's exciting, but it's football.

"You've just got to trust what you do and give the players that little bit of freedom to do what they need to do."

Image source, Getty Images

A new year and perhaps new fortunes for both these sides in 2021 after some recent upturns in their respective form.

Sheffield Wednesday come into this fixture unbeaten in their past three league games and having won their two most recent fixtures at Hillsborough.

Derby meanwhile have lost just once in their past eight matches and are unbeaten on the road for their past three games.

But, crucially for both, they are still way short of goals and points at the wrong end of the table.

Both have only found the net 14 times in the league so far this campaign and will want to rectify that statistic as much as their presence in the bottom five places.

Image source, .

Big, big incentives for both sides this evening to pick up a win to boost their current placings in the division.

A victory for Sheffield Wednesday would lift them out of the bottom three for the first time this season after starting it with points deductions and managerial turnovers.

It would also take them above their opponents tonight and their East Midlands neighbours Nottingham Forest.

Derby can pull themselves further away from the bottom three with a win of their own that would also lift them a place up to 19th.

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield Wednesday caretaker manager Neil Thompson makes two changes from their home win against Middlesbrough three days ago.

One of those sees Joe Wildsmith (pictured above) replace Keiren Westwood in goal.

Elsewhere, a hamstring tear for Chey Dunkley sees him make way for Adam Reach.

Jordan Rhodes and Elias Kachunga provide striking options for the Owls off the bench.

Wayne Rooney meanwhile names the same Derby starting line-up which helped them romp to a 4-0 win at Birmingham City on Tuesday.

Scotland goalkeeper David Marshall continues with the captain's armband.

Sheffield Wednesday XI: Wildsmith; Palmer, Lees, Odubajo, Pelupessy, Harris, Shaw, Bannan (capt), Reach, Paterson, Windass.

Subs: Jackson, Dele-Bashiru, Brennan, Waldock, Brown, Penney, Hunt Kachunga, Rhodes.

Derby County XI: Marshall (capt); Byrne, Forsyth, Clarke, Wisdom, Knight, Bielik, Shinnie, Sibley, Jozwiak, Kazim-Richards.

Subs: Roos, Buchanan, Evans, Te Wierik, Watson, Bird, Gordon, Hector-Ingram.

Image source, Getty Images

Welcome along to a new year of action in the Championship as 2021 begins with a meeting of two sides hoping their fortunes will be much brighter compared to how the latter part of 2020 treated them.

Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County will hope to secure the honour of the division's first win of the year.

They lock horns in around 15 minutes time and we'll bring you all the team news and build-up shortly.