The draw for the 3rd round of the F.A. Cup was made today and Sheffield Wednesday were picked out to travel to Premier League side Middlesbrough.
Boro beat the Owls twice last season on their way to securing automatic promotion from the Championship and they are making a competitive fist of their first season back in the top flight, currently sitting in 13th position, 4 points above the relegation zone.
Having lost to Cambridge in the first round of the League Cup this season Wednesday will be keen to try and make a cup run but the reality is that both clubs have their league campaigns as their priority with Middlesbrough looking to maintain their Premier League status and the Owls looking to make another push to try and join them. With this in mind the match may be an opportunity for fringe players to look to make an impact.
The Owls have a poor record at the Riverside Stadium, having won just once in nine visits since Middlesbrough moved to the purpose built ground in the mid-90's.
The tie will be played on the weekend of 7th January 2017.