Although it’s only a short drive up to Hillsborough for many Derby fans, all of us will be hoping that the Owls will be following their recent home form – 1 win, 2 draws and scoring 4, but letting in 5.

Unfortunately, with our ex-pats, Tudgay and Grant likely to play, the almost rock-hard certainty is that Grant will pull off breathtaking saves to deny us while Tudgay scores at the other end.  We must also hope that Tudgay doesn’t lay into our already fragile defence – he has the highest number of fouls (66) as well as the most goals (13) for the Owls.

It would be no more than what history dictates – out of 57 games against the Owls, we have only won 11 and lost 29.

At least Varney (described as a key player for them!) won’t be playing to show us all what we are missing, and some of us may hope that with 54 points in the bag, Wednesday will think themselves safe and Laws tries out a couple of youngsters in preparation for next season.  Laws however is in bullish mood with three players on the way back (Leon Clarke, Akpo Sodje and Etienne Esajas) and he is on record saying:

"Previously I haven't had many options in terms of selection but now it seems I will have the opportunity to make a few changes if I want to and that should have a positive effect on the players on the pitch because they can see there are quality players on the bench champing at the bit to replace them," he said.

"With two games in quick succession it is paramount that we use our players sensibly and therefore the likes of Esajas and Sodje will have a role to play this weekend."

Owls favourite Tommy Spurr (left back) is definitely out after too many bookings so there are likely to be changes after the win against the Canaries last weekend; Frank Simek is expected to come in at right back while Lewis Buxton plays out of position at left back for one game only.

But Laws is looking for an improvement on last season’s 55 points and wants a strong finish to the season: "Now it's important we follow up our win at Norwich with a good performance and a win against Derby here on Saturday.

"We have every confidence of achieving it. We had had some tough home games recently such as those against promotion-chasing sides, Wolves, Reading and Swansea, but we have deserved more from them than we got."

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The Rams

Derby will be seeking at least a point for safety after their midweek crash at their last ever game at Ninian Park.  It was a sombre farewell and Nigel Clough was according to the Sun a chip off his father’s block as he showed his anger at the two centre backs.

The DET was more restrained in its reporting: “It seems glaringly obvious, certainly to us, that the main difference between the two sides was the centre-halves – their two centre-halves were outstanding.”

He added: "The second one was poor defending as well – our centre-half had an opportunity to clear the ball.  Unlike theirs, who cleared the ball 60 yards all night, he cleared it 20 yards, which led to the goal.”

There will be a need for a dramatic improvement if the Rams are to take anything away from Hillsborough with the expectation that Clarke, Esajas and Tudgay are going to figure at some stage – these are all leading goalscorers for Wednesday.

Unfortunately for Clough, there is little room for manoevre, Hulse is being patched up game by game.  As Clough says: “But we are just saying ‘give us another three or four weeks or three or four games’ until we get that win. Then we can look at it and maybe give him a break.” 

It looks like patch-up time so the team is likely to be: Bywater, Connolly, Albrechtsen, Nyatanga, McEveley, Bannan, Savage, Pearson, Teale, Commons, Hulse. Subs from: Price, Barazite (if recovered), Villa, Eustace, Kazmerczak, Todd.

Latest odds from bet365: 
Owls win 2-0 8/1, 
Rams win 2-0 16/1.

Information for traveling fans (from SWFC.co.uk)
By Car
From The North/South/East - Exit the M1 at junction 36 and follow the A61 towards Sheffield. Continue along the road for approximately four miles until the second roundabout. Take the third exit (Leppings Lane) - the ground is situated on the left-hand side.

From The South/East (non matchdays only) - Leave the M1 at junction 33 and turn left towards Sheffield City Centre on the 'Sheffield Parkway' dual carriageway. Continue until the end of the Parkway, when you will come to Park Square roundabout. Turn right and continue to follow signs for the A61 towards Barnsley. Signs for Hillsborough are also prominent. The stadium is situated three miles from the city centre and is on your left-hand side after Hillsborough Park.From the West - Take the A57 for Sheffield. As you approach the city the road splits in two - take the left fork onto the Rivelin Valley Road (A6101). Continue for approximately 3.75 miles, turn left (onto one way system) and follow the road round to the right onto Holme Lane. This road then becomes Bradfield Road. At the junction with the A61 Penistone Road, turn left towards Barnsley. Hillsborough Stadium is on the left-hand side after Hillsborough Park.

By Train
Sheffield Railway Station (Contact Midland Mainline on 0845 712 5678) is situated in the town centre, 3 miles from the ground.

By Supertram
Take the South Yorkshire Supertram (signposted from the Railway Station) towards Middlewood Road (yellow route). Exit at the Leppings Lane stop, which is a short walk from the ground.

By Bus
From the Railway Station, Flat Street Bus Terminus is a one-minute walk - cross over at the pedestrian crossing, and follow the signs. Bus numbers 53, 77 and 80 all run from Flat Street to Hillsborough.

 From Angel Street, buses 74 and 74a run to Hillsborough.
 From Snig Hill, buses 85 and 86 run to Leppings Lane.
 From the Sheffield Transport Interchange, bus 57 runs past the ground towards Stocksbridge.

On matchdays, bus frequency should be roughly every 15 minutes.

Photo: Action Images

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