Sheffield Wednesday travel to Walsall on Boxing Day as they bid to keep up their chase for an automatic promotion place. Despite being in great form over the past couple of months Gary Megson knows that his side can ill-afford many slip ups as there are a number of clubs in the hunt for a top two spot. Charlton to continue to lead the way and while Huddersfield’s impeccable run has come to an end recently they are still well in contention along with MK Dons and Sheffield United.
The Owls will be forced into a least one change from the side that drew 4-4 with Huddersfieldlast weekend. On-loan goalkeeper Stephen Bywater has returned to his parent club Derby and will be replaced by either Nicky Weaver or Richard O’Donnell. Weaver, who has been out of action for months due to a knee injury, came through a behind-closed-doors friendly match during the week and will be assessed accordingly.
Ryan Lowe will be hoping to regain a starting place in attack after linking up effectively with Chris O’Grady last Saturday when he replaced Sanchez Watt at half-time.
Walsall will be without defender Oliver Lancashire who suffered a hamstring injury recently and is unlikely to play again before the turn of the year. Fellow defender Manny Smith is also a doubt.
Midfielder Adam Chambers, who had a brief spell on loan at Hillsborough during the 2003/04 season is likely to feature and former Chesterfield winger Kevan Hurst is closing in on a return from a broken heel bone.
Wednesday make the trip on the back of an 8-match unbeaten run and they have lost just one of the last 15 games. The Owls have won their last 4 away matches in all competitions.
Walsall’s form has been far less impressive with no win in the last 5 attempts and just 1 win in 12 matches. That victory came in the 1st round of the F.A. Cup and they have not won a league game since mid-October.
The Saddlers, managed by former Wednesday captain Dean Smith, have won just 3 of the 21 League one matches to date this season and find themselves in the relegation zone. Wednesday hold the upper hand in the head-to-head meetings between the 2 sides, winning 10 and losing just 3 of the 20 matches they have played against each other. Last season saw the 2 sides play out a 1-1 draw at Walsall in April with Wednesday having won convincingly, 3-0 at Hillsborough earlier in the campaign.
Source: FOOTYMAD
