Will Sheffield Wednesday be able to halt their losing streak at Hillsborough against a Preston North End side without a win since the restart? Garry Monk’s side host the Lancashire-based team at Hillsborough on Wednesday at 7:45pm.
As the season draws to a close, both teams are fighting to keep their seasons alive.
While The Owls lie 15th in the table with 52 points, Alex Neil’s Preston occupy 10th spot with 58 points. The Lilywhites are still in with a chance, albeit a very small one, as they are just six points adrift of the play-offs.
The hosts are still in need of points on the board despite being stranded in mid-table as they are still, with five games of the campaign left, unaware of whether the EFL will decide to deduct points for the court case over the sale of Hillsborough, which is still ongoing.
The Lilywhites, however, are desperately searching for their first victory since the restart. What will be of concern is their lack of defensive stability with only one clean sheet in their last four which came in a scoreless draw with Huddersfield Town.
Defeats against fellow play-off hopefuls Cardiff City and Derby County have left Preston gripping onto the coattails of the top six and anything but a win at Hillsborough on Wednesday night could end their hopes of making the cut.
Previous Meetings
24th August 2019 – Preston North End 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday – Championship
27th April 2019 – Preston North End 3-3 Sheffield Wednesday – Championship
22 December 2018 – Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 Preston North End – Championship
This fixture is one of the oldest in the world as these two teams were both formed in the latter half of the 19th century. Despite this, the contest is still very even, with both sides claiming 43 wins over their opponent.
Team News
Kieran Lee should be fit after being substituted at half-time against Swansea due to a calf injury. Garry Monk explained this was just a precautionary measure. With Lee’s injury issues over the last three years he needs to be looked after.
The game may also come too soon for Josh Windass who has been side-lined since the resumption of the season with a thigh injury.
It also remains unclear as to whether Tom Lees will feature as he continues to struggle with a hamstring injury.
As for the visitors, Paul Gallagher and Daniel Johnson will be assessed ahead of the game, whilst Louis Moult remains unavailable through injury.
Prediction
From the resumption of the Championship season, Preston were in the play-off places, however four games later and they now find themselves out of the top six with their playoff hopes fading away. Sheffield Wednesday look set to bounce back from defeat to Swansea at the weekend with victory here against the out-of-form Lilywhites.
Match Preview written by Owen Lloyd.