MX23RW : Monday, July 13 00:48:32| >> :120:5244:5244:
Jul 5, 2020 at 12pm UK at Liberty Stadium
SwanseaSwansea City
2-1
Sheff WedsSheffield Wednesday
Brewster (52'), Ayew (66' pen.)
Fulton (33'), Routledge (58')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Nuhiu (90+3')
Reach (65')

Preview: Swansea vs. Sheffield Wednesday – prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Championship clash between Swansea City and Sheffield Wednesday, including team news and predicted lineups.

Swansea City will be looking to keep their slim hopes of breaking into the playoff places alive when they host Sheffield Wednesday at the Liberty Stadium in Sunday's Championship clash.

In contrast, Wednesday are currently nine points adrift of the top six and realistically have little to play with six gameweeks of the season remaining.


Match preview

Swansea boss Steve Cooper on February 1, 2020© Reuters

Swansea are still in with a shout of a top-six finish, but Steve Cooper's side were forced to settle for a point against Millwall last time out - a result which leaves them four points adrift of the playoff places in eighth.

Cooper would have been extremely disappointed by his side's defeat to basement side Luton Town last weekend, and their failure to record maximum points against Millwall has done them no favours as they endeavour to gain promotion back to the Premier League.

However, with both Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers losing ground in the battle for the top six recently, Swansea will feel that they are well-positioned to try and break into the playoff places with six games remaining, but results must improve immediately.

Indeed, the Swans have only managed one win in their last six in the English second tier – form that is more commonly associated with a side battling relegation rather than vying for promotion.

Swansea cannot rise into a playoff spot with a win on Sunday, but Cooper's side have the chance to leapfrog Derby County into seventh should the Rams suffer defeat against Nottingham Forest the day before.

However, the Swans may enter the weekend's fixtures in ninth if Millwall triumph against Charlton Athletic on Friday evening.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk pictured in January 2020© Reuters

Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday were unable to build on their weekend victory over Bristol City as they were outplayed by promotion-chasing West Bromwich Albion at Hillsborough on Wednesday.

Matheus Pereira bagged a brace for the Baggies after a Charlie Austin penalty broke the deadlock in the first half, and the heavy home defeat leaves Garry Monk's side in mid-table obscurity as the season enters its closing stages.

As things stand, the Owls are nine points adrift of the top six as they lie 13th on 52 points - and the same margin also separates Monk's side from the relegation zone after 40 games.

It is difficult to imagine Wednesday surging towards the playoff places at this late stage of the season, but Monk will be optimistic about his side's fortunes against out-of-form Preston and Queens Park Rangers in the days following their trip to South Wales.

Swansea and Wednesday played out an enthralling 2-2 draw at Hillsborough back in November - with Ben Wilmot equalising for the Swans deep into added time just minutes after Morgan Fox appeared to have won the game for the Owls.

Swansea City Championship form: LDDWLD

Sheffield Wednesday Championship form: WLLDWL
Sheffield Wednesday form (all competitions): LLLDWL


Team News

Steven Fletcher celebrates scoring for Sheffield Wednesday on September 15, 2019© Reuters

Jordan Garrick remains unavailable through suspension for Swansea, and Mike van der Hoorn is still sidelined with a knee problem.

Aldo Kalulu and Connor Roberts had to settle for spots on the bench against Millwall, but the duo could both be in line for recalls for the visit of Wednesday.

Returning to the club where he spent 10 years as a player, Monk will have to make do without Steven Fletcher and Josh Windass - both of whom are nursing leg injuries.

Sam Winnall is carrying a knock and is a doubt, but there are not expected to be many changes to Wednesday's side for the trip to the Liberty Stadium.

Kieran Lee had to settle for a place on the bench against West Brom, but the midfielder is in contention to feature from the first whistle for this one.

Swansea City possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Roberts, Cabango, Wilmot, Bidwell; Byers, Grimes; Ayew, Gallagher, Kalulu; Brewster

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:
Wildsmith; Palmer, Iorfa, Odubajo; Murphy, Luongo, Lee, Bannan, Harris; Wickham, Rhodes


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Swansea City 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday

Wednesday's defensive problems are well-documented - with the Owls having kept just one clean sheet in their last 10 Championship outings. Swansea's recent form has also left a lot to be desired, but we are backing the home side to keep the pressure on the top six with a narrow victory over the Owls.


ID:404959:

Who will win Sunday's Championship clash between Swansea City and Sheffield Wednesday?

Swansea City
Draw
Sheffield Wednesday
Swansea City
60.7%
Draw
21.4%
Sheffield Wednesday
17.9%
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General view of Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough Stadium taken August 2018
Read Next:
Sheffield Wednesday: Transfer ins and outs - Summer 2020
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rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds43259969343584
2West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom432215674413381
3Brentford432391178354378
4Fulham4322101158441476
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest4318151055431269
6Cardiff CityCardiff431616116056464
7Swansea CitySwansea431615125550563
8Preston North EndPreston431711155652462
9Millwall431517114946362
10Derby CountyDerby431613145758-161
11Bristol City431710165862-461
12Blackburn RoversBlackburn431612156056460
13Reading431511175448656
14Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds431510185459-555
15Wigan AthleticWigan431412174653-754
16Queens Park RangersQPR43158206070-1053
17Stoke CityStoke43147225666-1049
18Birmingham CityBirmingham431213185269-1749
19Middlesbrough431114184356-1347
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield431211204965-1647
21Charlton AthleticCharlton431210214758-1146
22Hull City43129225775-1845
23Luton TownLuton43128234979-3044
24Barnsley431013204667-2143

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