Chris KirklandFrom the ‘vile animals’ to the Luke Varney braces, this Yorkshire derby has the potential to thrill and shock. Last time these two Yorkshire giants met Brian McDermott was beginning his tenure as Leeds United boss. Both teams approached the fixture looking over their shoulders at the drop zone – although they weren’t tipped for relegation – they were anxious for victory. To add more tension, the earlier meeting between the two teams saw Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland felled by a Leeds fan who ran on to the pitch and attacked him. After the match an emotional Dave Jones inflated the situation by branding the Leeds united fans ‘vile animals’ after the 1-1 draw and in turn created frenzy amongst the media. The corresponding fixture had less drama involved but saw Leeds come from a goal down with a Varney brace to snatch victory at Elland Road.

This time round however, Leeds united are brimming with confidence and will go into lunch time’s game against Sheffield Wednesday hoping to increase their unbeaten league run to three matches. Brian McDermott’s men have had a strong start to the campaign, winning two and drawing one – including the progression into the second round of the Capital One Cup.

Wednesday’s start has been far less prosperous than United’s, having lost their opening three games of the season 2-1. This included the opening game against QPR where Dave Jones’ side started positively, however, last season’s Premiership bottom side prevailed in the second half.

Team news

Leeds United could welcome back the experience of El-Hadji Diouf for his first appearance of the season. Diouf has been out nursing an infected shin and missed the first three games, but boss Brian McDermott implied he could be involved in the squad.

Elsewhere there are no new injury or suspension problems, but right-back Sam Byram remains sidelined due to a hip problem that may yet require surgery.

However, after a goal-less draw on Saturday McDerrmott must decide whether or not to stick with the front pairing of Noel Hunt and Luke Varney or opt for the other strike duo Matt Smith and Dom Poleon who both impressed when they came on against Leicester City.

Sheffield Wednesday defenders Reda Johnson and Lewis Buxton are hoping to make their first appearances of the season.
Johnson and Buxton both returned to full training this week and are expected to be involved as the Owls chase their first league points of the season.

Midfielder Giles Coke could also return to contention after missing last week’s home defeat to Burnley through illness, but defender Joe Mattock (knee) is not expected back in action for another three weeks.

The Owls will also be without winger Jermaine Johnson, who must sit out the second game of his three-match ban following his dismissal in the recent Capital One Cup defeat to Rotherham.

Key Player

Sheffield Wednesday will look to winger Michail Antonio to help inspire them to their first win of the season. The 23-year old former Reading man possesses bags of pace and trickery and had an impressing campaign for the Owls last season, racking up nine goals and nine assists to keep Dave Jone’s side up. He would have no doubt added more goals to his tally if it wasn’t for an injury he suffered in the 2–0 defeat to Cardiff City on 16 March 2013, which unfortunately ruled him out for the rest of the season.

— Nathan Brien (@nath_brien)

Who do you think will win the Yorkshire derby?

  • Leeds United (82%, 365 Votes)
  • Draw (7%, 31 Votes)
  • Sheffield Wednesday (11%, 51 Votes)

Total Voters: 446

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