So here we are, 45 games and 11 months into a Championship season, and Sheffield Wednesday still don’t know what they’re playing for. If you were to quickly glance at the table, you’d think Garry Monk‘s side look fairly comfortable. They are, after all, eight points clear of the drop and in 16th place. But this has been anything but a normal season for the Owls, and due to their ongoing legal battle with the EFL, they could be relegated after the season finishes. Or this game could be a completely insignificant end of season clash for them, if the independent panel rules in favour of the South Yorkshire club.
One thing we do know for sure is that their opponents Middlesbrough need a point to be absolutely sure of safety. Oh, and their manager just happens to be ex-Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock – a pantomime villain at Hillsborough.
Sheffield Wednesday v Middlesbrough Preview
Potential Points Deductions and Permutations for Sheffield Wednesday
Here’s where it gets a little bit more complicated.
Wednesday are eight points clear of the drop as it stands, but that doesn’t factor in Wigan Athletic’s probable points deduction. The Latics went into administration earlier this month, which carries an automatic 12 point deduction. Taking that into account, Wednesday sit 10 points above the drop. So if the Owls were to be deducted 12 points this season, they’d have to beat Middlesbrough and hope Wigan lose to Fulham if they were to stay up.
If the independent commission hits the Owls with a nine-point deduction, then they’ll be safe if they match or better Wigan’s result. Wednesday will certainly be relegated if they suffer a deduction of 14 points or more.
This is before we’ve even got into the issue of Wigan’s appeal. If the Latics successfully appeal their points deduction, then they’ll be safe and Monk’s side will only be eight points clear of the drop.
As for Middlesbrough, they’re four points clear of the bottom three – if you take Wigan’s points deduction into account. If Wigan don’t win their appeal, then Boro are safe. But they’ll be craving that solitary point they need to ensure there’s no nervous wait over the offseason.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Dire Home Form
Middlesbrough will fancy their chances in this encounter, not least because of Wednesday’s atrocious form at Hillsborough. If the Owls don’t pick up all three points in this clash, they’ll have won ONE home game in the entire second half of the season. Their overall home record is the fifth-worst in the division, and they’re the lowest home scorers with a paltry 18 goals.
The Yorkshiremen failed to add to that tally in their last home outing – a diabolical 0-0 draw against Huddersfield Town. They went from one extreme to the other just days after, losing 5-3 against promotion-chasing Fulham in a dismal defensive display.
Wednesday have failed to win in any of their post-lockdown home matches.
Has Neil Warnock Achieved a ‘New Manager Bounce’?
After losing 3-0 to Swansea in the first game after lockdown, Middlesbrough sacked manager Jonathan Woodgate. They replaced him with Neil Warnock, who took over a Boro side in 21st place – level on points with Hull in 22nd. Since then, he’s managed to steady the Boro ship and steer it slowly away from the drop zone. But it hasn’t always been plain sailing.
He started his tenure with a vital 2-0 win away at relegation rivals Stoke City, but that was followed by back-to-back defeats against Hull City and QPR. They then secured a crucial 2-0 win at Millwall, but their problems at the Riverside Stadium continued as they went down 3-1 to managerless Bristol City. Boro’s last away game was a 2-0 win over Reading, which came just days before their 3-1 home defeat to Cardiff City.
Woodgate averaged 1.08 points per game, whereas Warnock has averaged 1.13 in his much smaller sample size. So it’s a slight improvement, but he’s certainly not managed to string together a consistent run of results. He will be buoyed by their obvious improved form on the road. Boro have won three out of four away games under Warnock.
As an ex-Sheffield United manager and boyhood Blade, Warnock would love to see his team condemn the Owls to relegation. But he might not know whether that’s happened until mid-August.
Team News
Garry Monk is hopeful that Kieran Lee, who is out of contract at the end of the season, will be able to return to the Owls’ squad. Lee hasn’t played since their 2-1 defeat at Swansea on July 5 due to fatigue. The former Oldham Athletic man has struggled with a series of long-term injuries over the past few years.
Wednesday won 4-1 in the reverse fixture, and they bombarded Middlesbrough with balls into the box. After 6ft 6 Atdhe Nuhiu came off the bench to score a brace at Fulham, he could partner 6ft 2 Connor Wickham upfront. Monk went with Nuhiu and now-departed Steven Fletcher in the victory at the Riverside, and it worked a treat.
Britt Assombalonga came off the bench to score against Cardiff, so he could return to Middlesbrough’s starting XI. If Warnock chooses to stick with that 4-2-3-1 system, he could move Ashley Fletcher out wide to accommodate this.
Elsewhere, midfielder Jonny Howson is suspended after picking up a second booking in the Cardiff defeat.
Prediction
Sheffield Wednesday have won one home game since Christmas, and it’s difficult to see that changing here. The Teesiders have been very good on the road under Warnock, and they should be able to sneak a victory here.
A win or draw would see Middlesbrough safe, but we’re none the wiser as to whether it would relegate Sheffield Wednesday That will be decided in a courtroom.
Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Middlesbrough
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