Prediction Sheffield Wednesday vs Sheffield United 2025/2026 season – Betting Tips for the Championship on 23/11/2025

Derby day at Hillsborough: mood, form and the hard facts

Sheffield Wednesday welcome city rivals Sheffield United to Hillsborough Stadium on 23/11/2025 in what promises to be a bruising, low-margin clash. The stage is set under referee David Webb at a ground that holds 34,835, but the headlines belong to two clubs struggling for momentum. Wednesday sit rock-bottom in the table with just one win from 15 matches and a worrying goals column of 12 scored against 29 conceded. United are hardly in cruise control themselves, 22nd in the standings with three wins and a similarly fragile defence that has shipped 26 goals in 15 games. Recent results paint a clear picture: neither side is confident, both are porous at the back and past meetings give United a psychological edge after a 1-0 victory when they met in March.

How both teams are getting their chances — and leaking them

Shot volumes tell a curious story. Sheffield Wednesday average around 11.3 shots per game and have produced 55 on target across the campaign, but conversion has been stingy — only 12 goals in total. Sheffield United actually generate slightly more action, averaging 12.4 shots with 48 on target, yet they too have underwhelmed in front of goal with 11 strikes. Clean sheets are rare for either side — two for Wednesday, three for United — which suggests defensive frailties will again be a decisive factor. Home fixtures involving Wednesday have shown a higher appetite for goals historically, with a 60% rate of matches finishing over 2.5 goals on their cards, while United’s fixtures have been less prolific, sitting under the 50% mark for over 2.5.

Tactically this derby could be a cagey, end-to-end affair rather than a tactical chess match. Recent head-to-head and form lines indicate both teams are capable of conceding cheaply; United’s slightly better recent points haul and that March win give them a slender edge. From the last league outings, Harry Amass earned praise for Wednesday despite the loss at Southampton, while Sam McCallum featured prominently for United in a goalless draw with QPR, both reminders that individual outings can swing tight contests.

Market signal and final assessment

Bookmakers currently give the nod to the away side — Sheffield United are priced around 1.99 for the win, with the draw at 3.40 and a Wednesday victory out at 3.80. Those numbers reflect the wider reality: United are the more appealing option on paper, marginally more clinical and carrying a touch more recent resilience. For bettors weighing their approach, it helps to consider broader strategy and discipline; resources like Soccer betting tips and the choice of markets can sharpen market selection, and keeping emotions in check is vital—see How to have emotional control when placing bets? for practical advice on sticking to a plan.

Betting suggestion: Back Sheffield United (Away) in the 1X2 market at ~1.99. The data supports an away selection: United’s marginally stronger recent returns, a prior 1-0 victory in the head-to-head, and bookmaker probability that leans toward an away win make this the clearest value play from the available markets. Stake sensibly and consider a conservative unit to reflect the derby’s volatility.