Sheffield derby: Steel yourself for a derby battle which I predict will end in draw

The stakes could not be any higher for Wednesday who are locked in fight for survival.

For United, it is more about pride and the opportunity to push the old enemy towards the drop.

Yet, there is probably more pressure on Blades manager Kevin Blackwell than his opposite number Alan Irvine.

After missing out on the play-offs, the derby offers Blackwell a chance to right a few wrongs and boost his own job security.

If the Blades win, Blackwell will be a hero. If they lose, however, it is safe to assume he kops for more flak.

The Owls inflicted a double on the Blades last season but lost

3-2 at Bramall Lane in September.

At that stage of the campaign, things were looking much better for both clubs; the Blades were fifth and the Owls were comfortably mid-table.

Yet now, with only three games to play, the Owls are one point adrift of safety in the relegation zone and the Blades are seven points adrift of the top six.

Where did it all go wrong?

Blackwell blames injuries and the loss of key players for his side's struggle but has always been able to bring in a steady supply of loan replacements.

Such a luxury is not afforded Irvine who came into the job with his eyes wide open three months ago and fully understood the financial limitiations at Hillsborough.

When injuries ruled out his players, Irvine usually had to make do.

Blackwell, however, could nearly always make another loan signing.

With such frequent changes in personnel, it is hardly a surprise that the Blades have struggled for consistency.

And now, with the clock ticking towards the end of the season, a large majority of the players at Bramall Lane are preparing to move on.

According to Blackwell, that means some will not want to risk injury.

Yet woe betide anyone who shirks a challenge tomorrow against the Owls.

Supporters demand 100 per cent commitment and energy from each and every player on the field in a Sheffield derby and won't be slow in venting disapproval if they don't.

Victory can lift the Owls out of the bottom three and provide a massive boost to confidence going into the final two games of the season against Cardiff City and Crystal Palace.

Defeat, however, may leave a fatal wound. Under Irvine's guidance, the Owls have looked better defensively but lacked a cutting edge going forward.

They have failed to score in eight of the last 13 games and generally played better away from home.

The Blades have blown hot and cold and have been unable to string back-to-back results together for three months.

Form, however, goes out of the window in games like this.

Ultimately, it is often a case of who 'wants it' more, who copes with the pressure best, or who gets the lucky breaks.

Much depends on the fitness of Jermaine Johnson.

The Jamaican international is a key player for the Owls and his pace and dribbling can unsettle any Championship defence on his day.

As for the Blades, all eyes will be on striker Richard Cresswell who has scored five goals in his last eight games and is a former Wednesday player, having donned the blue and white stripes a decade ago.

Maybe this is the 'biggest' derby since the two clubs met in the 1993 FA Cup semi-final. It certainly is from a Wednesday perspective.

Picking the winner in this game is extremely difficult as, on current form, there is nothing to choose between the two sides.

Only once in the last nine meetings has there been a draw in a Sheffield derby – tomorrow afternoon there is likely to be another.