Sheffield Wednesday are hoping to put their Blackburn heartbreak behind them as they take on Swansea City at Hillsborough. The Owls took the lead in the 83rd minute at Ewood Park last weekend through Jacob Murphy, before self-destructing and losing the game 2-1.
Late goals from Tosin Adarabioyo (88) and John Buckley (90+1) meant the Owls left East Lancashire empty-handed. Meanwhile, Swansea were on the right end of some late drama, as Sam Surridge‘s stoppage-time winner secured a 2-1 victory at Wigan Athletic. The Jacks are the only team in the EFL who are yet to lose on the road this term.
Sheffield Wednesday Hope to Bounce Back Against Swansea City
Sheffield Wednesday’s Game Management Must Improve
The Owls let last week’s clash at Ewood Park slip in such agonising fashion, after going in front against the run of play. Up to then, Wednesday had only conceded 10 goals in 14 games – so you’d be forgiven for expecting Monk’s men to hold on for all three points. But they lost their concentration and were punished for two sloppy defensive errors.
It was an all too familiar feeling for Owls fans, who watched their team concede an 88th-minute equaliser just two weeks prior to the Blackburn clash in a 1-1 draw at Cardiff City.
After dominating the first half and deservedly taking the lead through Julian Borner, the Yorkshire outfit allowed Cardiff to get on top in the second period. As the visitors sat deeper and deeper, the hosts’ threat grew and Lee Tomlin‘s 88th-minute free-kick drew the Bluebirds level.
The Owls need to improve their game management if they are to maintain a serious play-off push this season. They can’t afford to drop points from winning positions regularly.
Defensive Solidity at Hillsborough
One thing Wednesday fans will take comfort from is their tremendous defensive record on home soil. Monk’s side have only conceded three goals in seven home games – the joint lowest amount in the Championship.
A big part of that is due to the growing partnership of centre-halves Dominic Iorfa and Julian Borner. German defender Borner has been outstanding since joining from German outfit Arminia Bielfield in the Summer, and Iorfa has seamlessly made the move from right-back to centre-back in the absence of skipper Tom Lees.
That, combined with the consistency of Liam Palmer and Morgan Fox, has given Monk a solid foundation to build from.
On the flip-side, Wednesday’s attack has been pretty blunt in S6. They’ve failed to score more than one goal in a home match since beating Barnsley 2-0 in August. That was their first home match of the season, so Wednesday fans will be craving a result like their last meeting with Swansea – a 3-1 home victory in March.
Swansea City Will Be a Tough Test
Fourth-placed Swansea will provide very stiff opposition. The Swans made a flying start to the campaign under new manager Steve Cooper. After beating Leeds at the end of August, the Welshmen found themselves top of the table going into the first international break, picking up 16 points from their first six outings.
Swansea then only won one of their following seven games, but returned to form with a 1-0 win over Cardiff in the South Wales derby before that triumph at Wigan last week.
Cooper’s side also have a terrific away record. They’re the only team in the EFL who haven’t tasted defeat on the road yet, and they’ve collected 15 points away from the Liberty Stadium. Only West Bromwich Albion (17) have picked up more, and the Baggies have played one away game more than the Jacks.
Prediction
As with most games you’ll find in this watertight division, this one is very tough to predict. Wednesday have only lost once at home, whereas Swansea are unbeaten away. The Owls’ defence is very difficult to breach, but their attack has been found wanting in recent matches. This could be a bore draw.
Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Swansea City
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