Sheff Wed vs. Birmingham: Blues will strengthen their attempt to survive
Sheffield Wednesday’s struggling team lost 4-0 away to Huddersfield last Saturday, their chances of surviving were severely damaged. The Owls’ crucial matchup with Birmingham at Hillsborough will require a reaction. Danny Rohl’s team is nine points below sixth-bottom Birmingham, who have improved since appointing Tony Mowbray as their third permanent manager of the year, and eight points outside of safety.
Birmingham had won four of its first two league games under Mowbray, and they were mostly in control in last Saturday’s close 1-0 loss to promotion-chasing West Brom on the road.
Team updates
After making nine changes for Tuesday’s FA Cup fourth round replay at Coventry, which they lost 4-1, Wednesday will go back to a first-choice lineup. John Buckley (shoulder) and Dominic Iorfa (leg) will be missing for the Owls, but Callum Paterson (head), who hasn’t played since Boxing Day, is moving closer to being fully healthy.
Dion Sanderson (ankle), Alfie Chang (knee), George Hall (hamstring), and Cody Drameh (toe) are out, while Blues goalkeeper John Ruddy (knock) is questionable.
The figures
Against Birmingham, Wednesday has only triumphed once in their previous nine meetings. With just 22 goals scored, the Owls are the lowest scorers in the division. They have lost their last two games and have not won any of their previous six games. Although Birmingham has won its previous two games without scoring a goal, they have not lost their previous four trips to Hillsborough.
Projections
Birmingham can allay their fears of relegation by defeating the Owls in south Yorkshire, since they have appeared to be a more competent team since Mowbray’s arrival a month ago.
The Blues had won their first three games under Mowbray, and although they had recently lost on the road to West Brom (1-0) and Leicester (3-0) in the FA Cup and the Championship, respectively, there were encouraging signs. In both of those losses, City had more shots than the opposition, and they could have a better chance against the Owls, who seem certain to make an early return to League One.
Wednesday had a winless run of five league games for the last five weeks, losing to Huddersfield 4-0 on Saturday, but they bounced back between December and New Year’s Day, winning five of their eight league games. The Owls appear to be getting worse after this weekend’s home loss, as they are falling behind the clubs they need to catch.