Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday go head to head on Saturday in one of the biggest games of the weekend. 

It's one of League One's biggest games with both sides looking to gather momentum for their respective promotion pushes.

Derby will be aiming to edge themselves back into the playoffs whereas Wednesday will be hoping they can keep mounting the pressure on Ipswich and Plymouth who occupy the top two slots.

It's a huge game between two seasoned managers as well. Both Darren Moore and Paul Warne boast extensive dugout experience and will be hoping they can outwit each other when by the time the final whistle comes on Saturday.

There will be plenty of tactical battles throughout the game and personal ones as well. Both sides have mountains of experience throughout the squad and will hope they can use it in their attempts to win on Saturday.

Here, we look at two battles that could massively swing the outcome of the game at Pride Park.

 

 

Max Bird vs Barry Bannan

Both players are at complete opposites ends of their careers. Bannan is entering his twilight years whereas Bird is just starting out.

The pair play important roles for their sides as well. Bannan has been largely seen as the Owls' main man for some time, the one the team turns to to get them out of trouble, and more often than not, he delivers.

Bird on the other hand has been thrust into key player status due to the lack of options at Derby. He's the one that sets the tempo within the side and much of Derby's success will come down to how tidy he is in possession.

Bannan is the creative lynchpin for this Wednesday side. He's created six goals so far and averages 3.8 key passes per game according to WhoScored which is an astonishing amount of chances he's creating.

If Derby are to get a result, they need to ensure Bannan is kept as quiet as possible. For Wednesday, it will mean having cut passing avenues and pressing Bird at every opportunity.

Eiran Cashin vs Lee Gregory

Lee Gregory recently fired a warning to Derby, suggesting his goal drought will come to an end soon. He's a player that backs himself at every opportunity and ensuring he's marked out of the game will limit the chances he has to score.

The inexperienced Cashin has been in fantastic form for Derby this season, but he's coming up against a vastly experienced player who knows how to score at League One level. It's a daunting task for the 21-year-old and one that needs to be met wit absolute maturity.

It could even prompt an unfit Curtis Davies to come into the team which will certainly make matters easier, but if a result were to swing either way, Gregory could be the difference.