Owls face tough trip as play-off race continues

Last updated : 22 April 2016 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday face a tough trip to in-form Derby as they look to maintain their hold on a play-off place.

The Owls are without a win in 3 games but have a 6-point advantage on 7th placed Cardiff. However, Cardiff face relegated Bolton at home on Saturday before travelling to Hillsborough next weekend and so Wednesday will need a positive result to avoid adding further pressure on that game.

Carlos Carvalhal will be unable to select Ross Wallace as the wide midfielder starts a 3-match ban following his dismissal in the draw with MK Dons. Jeremy Helan has been recalled from his loan spell at Wolves and is expected to be in the squad. Sam Hutchinson could make a return following a spell out of action due to a virus.

Wednesday have been short of goals of late with Atdhe Nuhiu, Lucas Joao and Gary Hooper all struggling to find the net recently and it is anyone's guess who will be given the chance to start on Saturday.

Derby will be without experienced midfielder Bradley Johnson as he is out due to a knee injury and fellow midfielder Jeff Hendrick remains sidelined with a thigh strain. They still have plenty of options available however and will be in confident mood as they have been scoring for fun in recent games.

Wednesday slumped to a 4-1 defeat at Bristol City in their last away game and have scored just 2 goals in their last 3 games.

Derby have won 4 matches in a row, scoring 12 goals in the process and they have won their last 5 home games, conceding only 1 goal in those 5 fixtures.

The 2 sides played out an entertaining 0-0 draw when they met at Hillsborough back in December. The Owls have failed to win at the home of the Rams on their last 7 visits.