Testing two weeks of fixtures ahead

Last updated : 27 February 2009 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday begin a run of potentially difficult matches tomorrow with the trip to Burnley. The Turf Moor side have improved greatly since their comprehensive defeat at Hillsborough on the opening day of the season and are chasing a play-off spot.

Next Tuesday the Owls host Reading at S6. The Royals have stumbled of late in their bid to gain automatic promotion but are still right in contention and Wednesday will be mindful of the 6-0 mauling they suffered at the hands of Steve Coppell's side earlier in the season.

The following Saturday league leaders Wolves come to Hillsborough. Like Reading they have recently gone through a period on inconsistent results but such was their dominance earlier in the campaign they still lead the way and will provide as sterner test as any of the Owls respectable home record.

The Tuesday after the Wolves game Wednesday travel to Deepdale to face Preston, another team in the shake up for a play-off place. North End have recorded 12 home wins in the league thus far, as many as any team in the Coca Cola Championship.

With recently rejuvenated Watford and Swansea, widely acclaimed as one of the best footballing sides in the division also to play, March is likely to go a long way to shaping where the currently mid-table Owls will end up this season.