Yorkshire | Can Sheffield Wednesday perform a miracle against Middlesbrough?

Sheffield Wednesday v Middlesbrough preview

Two sides fighting at opposite ends of the Championship table will meet in Sheffield.

Author | Jay Dean

Stadium | Hillsborough

Wednesday fans protest against Coventry

Sheffield Wednesday’s campaign was always likely to be a challenging one after a turbulent summer marked by widespread departures and continuing financial and off-field troubles. Under new manager Henrik Pedersen, the Owls have collected only six points from their opening 10 matches, a run that reflects the difficulties facing a thin and youthful squad operating under transfer restrictions.

Their defensive record has been particularly concerning, with 22 goals conceded, which is four more than any other team in the Championship after 10 games. A solitary win, away to Portsmouth in September, remains their only triumph so far. After enduring a heavy 5-0 defeat to Coventry City before the international break, Wednesday’s return to action brought more frustration, as goals from Sonny Carey and Reece Burke condemned them to a 2-1 defeat at Charlton despite Jamal Lowe pulling one back.

Now rooted to the bottom of the table but still within reach of safety, Sheffield Wednesday will be desperate to halt their slide and produce a much-needed victory on Tuesday to prevent being left behind in the relegation battle.

Team news

In the build-up to this match, Wednesday completed the emergency loan of former Middlesbrough goalkeeper Joe Lumley.

The Owls faced a goalkeeping crisis ahead of their midweek clash with Middlesbrough after Evan Horvath, who was already on an emergency loan from Nottingham Forest due to Pierce Charles’ injury, was sent off in the defeat to Charlton. As a result, Lumley has joined on a one-week loan from Bristol City to provide cover between the posts.

A look at Wednesday’s opposition

Despite only winning two of their last six league matches, Middlesbrough are 2nd in the Championship table and only a point off new league leaders Coventry City.

Last time out, they displayed their promotion and title credentials with a 2-1 win over Ipswich Town. After three matches without a victory, Boro took the lead in first-half stoppage time through a Cedric Kipre own goal, before Morgan Whittaker scored his first for the club to make it two. 

Key stats and facts

After winning four consecutive league visits to Sheffield Wednesday between 2015-16 and 2019-20, Middlesbrough have failed to claim victory in their last three trips, recording one draw and two defeats.

Sheffield Wednesday have managed only one win in their last 15 home league matches, drawing five and losing nine. That solitary victory came against Middlesbrough in April, when they triumphed 2-1.