MX23RW : Saturday, November 5 06:55:51| >> :600:157997:157997:
[monks data]
Oct 26, 2022 at 8pm UK at Hillsborough Stadium
Sheff Weds
1 - 1
Bristol Rovers
Smith (45+3')
Ihiekwe (36')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Coburn (60')
Rossiter (39')

Preview: Sheffield Wednesday vs. Bristol Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's League One clash between Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol Rovers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Sheffield Wednesday play host to Bristol Rovers on Wednesday evening looking to consolidate their hold of third position in the League One standings.

While the home side are unbeaten in three matches, 13th-placed Rovers make the trip to Hillsborough having not suffered defeat in the third tier in five games.


Match preview

Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore on February 13, 2022© Reuters

Having failed to win more than two league matches in succession all season, you would be forgiven for thinking that Sheffield Wednesday are far lower in the table than third spot.

However, Darren Moore's side have recorded back-to-back victories on four occasions, ensuring that they have been able to remain on the coattails of Plymouth Argyle and Ipswich Town.

The Owls were denied a third straight success at the weekend when Lincoln City came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw, although Lee Gregory's early goal made it eight matches in a row where the Yorkshire giants have gotten on the scoresheet.

With an eight-point cushion in the playoffs, Moore will be satisfied with his side's current standing, but he will be aware that only wins will realistically do if they wish to keep pace with the in-form top two.

If Ipswich lose to Port Vale on Tuesday night, Wednesday will be able to move into second position on goal difference should they record all three points.

That is far from a guarantee, however, with Bristol Rovers' recent resurgence moving the club away from the relegation zone and keeping Joey Barton in a job.

Although his departure was far from agiven, Rovers had put together an eight-match winless streak at one stage, but that since been replaced by 10 points being collected from a possible 12.

The draw which they earned against high-flying Plymouth at the weekend was arguably more impressive than the previous three wins, Rovers coming from two goals down at half time to earn a share of the spoils.

While clean sheets remain an issue with just one being recorded in 12 outings, Rovers are now closer to the playoffs than they are to the relegation zone, representing a switch in their priorities in the short term.

Aaron Collins continues to emerge as one of the best performing players in the third tier, the Welsh forward now netting a remarkable nine goals and six assists from his 15 starts this campaign.

Sheffield Wednesday League One form:


Sheffield Wednesday form (all competitions):


Bristol Rovers League One form:


Bristol Rovers form (all competitions):



Team News

Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton pictured in May 2021© Reuters

Moore may be prepared to stick with the same Wednesday XI which started the game at Lincoln, but the Owls boss does have options if he wishes to make changes.

George Byers is the most likely to earn a recall, the midfielder an alternative for Will Vaulks in the centre of the pitch.

Tyreeq Bakinson could get the nod ahead of him if Moore opts for a more defensive-minded option, but the defence and forward line should stay unchanged.

Despite his attack-minded approach in the second half having worked against Plymouth, Barton will not deploy that strategy from the off against Sheffield Wednesday.

Barring any fitness issues, an unchanged team is likely, with Middlesbrough loanee Josh Coburn having to make do with a spot among the replacements despite his impact from the substitutes' bench last time out.

Although Luca Hoole was withdrawn at half time, it was a tactical switch, and the 20-year-old should retain his spot at right-back.

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:
Stockdale; Ihiekwe, Heneghan, McGuinness; Palmer, Vaulks, Bannan, Johnson; Windass; Gregory, Smith

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Belshaw; Hoole, Thomas, Gibson, Gordon; Evans, Rossiter, Finley; Anderson, Loft, Collins


SM words green background

We say: Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Bristol Rovers

Given the respective form of these two teams, we are expecting a highly-competitive fixture in Yorkshire. Nevertheless, although Rovers could potentially take the lead or remain on level terms until the closing stages, Wednesday should have enough quality to edge this game by a narrow margin.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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How you voted: Sheff Weds vs Bristol Rovers

Sheffield Wednesday
72.9%
Draw
11.4%
Bristol Rovers
15.7%
70
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Plymouth Argyle's Macaulay Gillesphey celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on February 5, 2022
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Plymouth ArgylePlymouth17132236191741
2Ipswich TownIpswich17114235181737
3Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds17104333161734
4Peterborough UnitedPeterborough17101632191331
5Portsmouth157622517827
6Bolton WanderersBolton168351914527
7Derby CountyDerby167452015525
8Barnsley167361914524
9Charlton AthleticCharlton175842723423
10Port Vale176562024-423
11Exeter CityExeter176472825322
12Wycombe WanderersWycombe176472323022
13Lincoln CityLincoln165741819-122
14Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury166461618-222
15Fleetwood TownFleetwood174941715221
16Bristol Rovers175572731-420
17Oxford UnitedOxford Utd165471919019
18Cambridge UnitedCambridge1761101829-1119
19Cheltenham TownCheltenham165381320-718
20Accrington StanleyAccrington174581829-1117
21MK Dons1642101522-714
22Morecambe172781327-1413
23Forest Green RoversForest Green1734101535-2013
24Burton Albion1733112035-1512

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