Championship | Gameweek 20

Dec 10, 2024 at 7.45pm UK

Hillsborough Stadium

Sheff Wedsvs.Blackburn

Match preview

Sheffield Wednesday were arguably fortunate to have earned a point last time out at home considering Preston produced six big chances, and other than the penalty they missed in 53rd minute, the hosts fashioned just one big chance in the game.

Manager Danny Rohl was pretty critical of his players after the draw, telling reporters: "We didn't play well today and didn't deserve to win." In my view, Preston played better and deserved to win. We were lucky to get a point. "It's not what I want to see from my team. You've asked me before about the difference between playing at home and away. I think it's our mindset."

The Owls have only won three Championship matches at Hillsborough this season, with two losses and three draws. They've also only won one of their last six home games.

I have to hand it to Sheffield Wednesday, they've been on a roll lately. They've won twice and scored six goals in their last four league games.

Rohl's team have scored 23 times and conceded 28 times in the second tier, which puts them at 10th for the league's best offensive records and joint fifth-worst for the worst defensive records.

Blackburn didn't create many chances against Hull, but they managed to limit the Tigers to just two big chances and won thanks to Sean McLoughlin's own goal in the 20th minute.

Boss John Eustace said that Hull were a tough opponent, but he was pleased with how his team performed and highlighted the positives. "A lot of their attacks were from outside the box. We knew we were up against a talented team with excellent technicians. I'm really happy and proud of the team for keeping another clean sheet.

The Riversiders have kept their opponents at bay for three games in a row, which is as many times as they had in their previous eight outings.

Eustace's team are on a roll, with the club having won their last four games, including their three most recent ones 1-0.

The visitors have also won their last three away games. They were beaten in the previous three, but those are the club's only losses on the road in the last 12.

Recent Performance

Sheffield Wednesday Championship form:WLDWWD

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:LLWWWW

Team News

The hosts will have to make do without defender Akin Famewo and forward Olaf Kobacki until mid-month.

Sheffield Wednesday might play centre-backs Yan Valery, Di'Shon Bernard and Max Lowe in front of goalkeeper James Beadle.It looks like Rohl will start with striker Michael Smith, and he might have support from Josh Windass and Ike Ugbo.

Meanwhile, Blackburn will be without several players, including forwards Andreas Weimann, Arnor Sigurdsson and Zak Gilsenan.

Given these injuries, it looks like Tyrhys Dolan, Todd Cantwell and Ryan Hedges will be playing behind striker Yuki Ohashi.They are also without goalkeeper Balazs Toth and defenders Harry Pickering, Hayden Carter and Scott Wharton.

Eustace could start in goal for the team, with Aynsley Pears between the posts. He may be shielded by a defence consisting of Callum Brittain, Dominic Hyam, Danny Batth and Owen Beck.

Possible starting lineup

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:

Beadle; Valery, Bernard, Lowe; Gassama, Charles, Palmer, Johnson; Windass, Ugbo; Smith

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Pears; Brittain, Hyam, Batth, Beck; Tronstad, Baker; Dolan, Cantwell, Hedges; Ohashi