Sheffield Wednesday are targeting a first Steel City derby win in 14 years as they look to avoid the pain of relegation at Bramall Lane

Sky Sports host and former Owls midfielder David Prutton says he expects Sheffield United supporters to show little compassion to their Steel City rivals if they can pick up the win which relegates them to the third-tier of English football this weekend.

Wednesday travel to Bramall Lane knowing that anything less than a win will guarantee their fate of being the earliest relegated team in Football League history, eclipsing the unwanted record set by Stockport County, who were relegated on 16 March 2002 before finishing the campaign with just 26 points.

They lost the previous fixture 3-0 at home and face the task of trying to overcome Chris Wilder, who’s unbeaten in his seven previous derby matches in charge.

Prutton, who played for the Owls on 61 occasions between 2011 and 2014, explained via the The Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast: “I know sometimes there’s that really passionate but compassionate rivalry, whereas I’ve never felt that between these two.

“I just sense that if something happens at Bramall Lane, then they will be very celebratory indeed. I mean as for Wednesday, we’ve discussed it at length.

“Gross mismanagement from the top. Setting up a team, a squad, which is a mixture of young players and ones that are available to actually come into the football club, gives you an uphill battle anywhere in the Championship.

“Your best player [Barry Bannan] leaves to go to a team that’s knocking on the door of the play-offs and promotion. So all in all a very toxic combination.”

Prutton admits he struggles to see Wednesday, who are yet to pick up a point in 2026, getting anything from the game against an improving Blades side with play-off aspirations, but adds that the one positive what has been a bleak season is the immense support from the fanbase, who have stood by the team through thick and thin.

He added: “When you go into this. Yes they’ll be pride at stake. Yes the boss will be telling them - it can’t happen here. But I would say that everything points to the fact that it possibly would do.”

Prutton reflects on last Steel City derby win

It’s been almost 14 years to the day since Sheffield Wednesday last won a Steel City derby, with the club last coming out on top during the 2011/12 season when the Owls earned a 1-0 victory courtesy of Chris O’Grady’s header.

Prutton, who played in that match, still has fond memories of that occasion. When asked about the matchwinner, he joked: “Chris O’Grady. I mean goal of the season with a header inside the six yard box. When I’d scored the best goal of my career and got nowhere near it. Not that I hold it against him.”

The Sky Sports presenter went on to share his prediction claiming that the Blades would run out 2-1 winners at Bramall Lane to complete a double over the Owls in consecutive seasons for the first time in over 50 years.