Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United meet on Sunday in Hillsborough, and both still have it all to play for when we reach the walk -in of the championship season.
Back-to-back victories this week before Wednesday have re-delivered their hope for a push for the top six. On the way to the weekend, they are only five points, and it is undoubtedly their most plausible tilt when promoted to the Premier League since losing in the play-offs in 2017.
United is now exactly in the middle of the battle for the machines.
Even if nothing drives on, this is a game that means everything. But with so much at stake in the run-in, it is an incredible encounter.
Recent history against Wednesday?
The circumstance has kept these two parties apart most of the past decade. The reverse fixture of last November was the first meeting in five years.
But you can be sure that absence did not grow the heart. And the lack of games at that time will not have made it easier for OWLS fans to tolerate that it is 13 years ago that they last defeated their rivals.
To bring in context how long ago that 1-0 win in League One was in 2012: Mikhail Antonio was in that Wednesday side and three years away from moving to West Ham. David Putton, Sky Sports EFL presenter for the best part of a decade, was in midfield and Ryan Lowe – who has managed four different EFL clubs since then – stood in front.
However, it turned out to be crucial. Wednesday won promotion and finished second and three points for their steel city rivals. The knives would lose in the play-offs.
Since then, however, United has been promoted twice to the Premier League, while on Wednesday in League One has fallen back.
In the time since there have been two united victories and three draw, while the last four did not even score on Wednesday.
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Sheff Wed Fan View: 'We can give it all, let nothing be' outside '
As the Sheffield Derby approaches, the atmosphere becomes tangible. Some get excited, hit their breasts and have a skip in their step, would like to get the chance to get one about their neighbor, cousin, brother or sister or colleague.
Others get nervous as it approaches. I do not want to be on the receiving side of some barbs and jibes that are part of a local derby.
Me? I am getting pretty agnostic and I don't feel that I am alone. I feel that there would be fans from the other side in the same camp.
I just want to get rid of it. We have a slim chance to move forward and improve our competition. Focusing on our game is of the utmost importance to create an atmosphere that players such as Djeidi Gassama would like to play in the following season.
This game has the potential to be our last hurray for the season, we can give it all, leave nothing, I feel that “the others” may leave something in the tank to chase leeds and prevent Burnley's best challenge …
Whatever happens, nobody can call it.
Sheff Utd Fan View: 'A victory here can mean twice as much as any other'
Andrew McMath, Sheff United Way YouTube & Instagram
Anyone who says that they are not a mix of nerves and excitement that go to a steel city Derby, it is not doing well.
It is great to have Chris Wilder as a manager for these occasions. As one of us you can see that three points about the owls means as much for him as all of us.
The goal of Tyrese Campbell gave us the brag in November, and that immediately pushed him into the cult of the cult hero. In essence, a crucial goal in this game is a quick way in the history books of the Blades.
Mark Duffy is celebrated annually for his goal 'Bounce-Lay' in Hillsborough in 2017 we won 4-2 in the first derby in five years.
The results in midweek have influenced our self -confidence on the way to the game. Although, if you gave the fan of a knives the option of a draw against the Robins and a victory on Sunday, they would like to take it.
Without sounding like a cliché manager, all remaining nine games are extremely important. But just like that, losing one competition would not necessarily mean the end of the season.
But a United win in the derby can mean twice as much as any other. It gives players and fans confidence with a large obstacle. The opposite result can have just negative consequences. With the Worst Case Scenario as a defeat that makes us third at the end of the weekend. We just have to see it. Bring it up!
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