Sheffield Wednesday were cruising to a possible top-two finish in League One. Suddenly, the wheels have come off and the Owls are trying to hold off an onslaught from third-place Ipswich Town.
Wednesday are on a three-game winless streak in League One, with back-to-back games ending as defeats. The Owls will visit Cheltenham on Wednesday night to play a game in hand. Once played, Ipswich Town will have a game in hand over Sheffield Wednesday.
Defeat for Wednesday #FGRSHW pic.twitter.com/9BdAKAWV02— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) March 26, 2023
Defeat for Wednesday #FGRSHW pic.twitter.com/9BdAKAWV02
Cheltenham are not in the promotion picture this season. The Robins are 17th in the standings ahead of the midweek match. Eight points separate Cheltenham from the relegation zone.
The Robins are in form ahead of Sheffield Wednesday’s visit. They are unbeaten in four straight League One matches and go into the fixture having won back-to-back games.
The Owls pummeled Cheltenham in October, 3-0. Josh Windass scored in the third minute to give Wednesday an early lead. Barry Bannan and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru added goals in the second half, although their goals didn’t come until late in the game.
Sheffield Wednesday and Cheltenham have met three times previously. The Owls went unbeaten in those three games, with two wins and a draw.
The Owls are the best away team in League One. The problem for manager Darren Moore is the team’s current road form. Sheffield Wednesday lost each of their last two away fixtures.
Cheltenham’s home form has improved recently, with three straight home matches without defeat. The Robins aren’t great at home by any means with seven wins, four draws, and four defeats.
Yet, Cheltenham are unbeaten in three straight home matches and should be confident on Wednesday.
Moore has no fresh injury issues at Wednesday going into the match with Cheltenham. Windass leads the team in goals with 11, and Michael Smith added 10. Windass averages the most shots per game with 3.2.
Cheltenham will be without Elkan Baggott, who was called up to the Indonesia national team. He could be the only absentee for Cheltenham manager Wade Elliott.
The Robins are led in goals by Alfie May’s 13. He is the only player with double-digit goals for Cheltenham. May has contributed 41% of Cheltenham’s scoring in League One this term.
Sheffield Wednesday may be struggling for wins, but they should come good on Wednesday night away to Cheltenham. The Owls need to win to stay in the top two.
In fact, a win would take them above first-place Plymouth Argyle in the race for the League one title. The Owls should post a narrow 2-1 win and move into the top spot.