What the Sheffield United fixture news means for Sheffield Wednesday's season
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The Owls’ Championship fixtures are released at 9am on Friday morning but with the list of Blades’ matches already confirmed, Wednesday fans can expect their side to play away from home on the opening day as well as Boxing Day. It will be their fifth consecutive away day Boxing Day clash.
The football league operates a pairing system, meaning paired teams cannot play at home on the same day.
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Hide AdAs a result, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday do not play at home on the same day for a number of reasons including crowd control, transport and shared resources.
While supporters are not expected to be allowed into grounds until at least October, these rules are set to be followed and despite United’s opening game at home to Wolves being moved to Monday September 14 for live television coverage, Wednesday’s September 12 opener will most likely be played away.
Their first clash at Hillsborough looks likely to be played on the weekend of September 19, television permitting.
It was confirmed that Wednesday and the rest of the Championship would be faced with the gruelling prospect of 13 midweek fixtures as the EFL attempt to cram the season into before next summer’s European Championships.
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Hide AdThey are set to kick off their 2020/21 campaign on September 5, with a trip to Walsall in the first round of the Carabao Cup.