Match preview: Preston v Wednesday

26 April 2019

For the final time in 2018/19, the Owls are on the road this weekend, facing a trip to Preston.

Wednesday will be looking to make it back to back wins after the 2-0 victory over Bristol City on Easter Monday.

Steve Bruce’s side have finished the campaign in strong fashion, with just two defeats from the last 17 and will be looking to extend that impressive run for the final two games.

For Preston, their hopes of a top six finish are now over after a run of five defeats from the last six Championship outings.

The Lilywhites were strong challengers for a play-off spot until mid-March as Alex Neil’s side boasted a 12-game unbeaten run, including eight wins.

But their run since has left the top six out of reach.

Here is swfc.co.uk’s match preview:

Team news

Owls: Kieran Lee is in contention to make his first appearance since December 2017.

The midfielder has been out long term with a hip injury but has been in full training for the past three weeks and has featured for the Under-23s.

Keiren Westwood (knee) is back in training and could return to the starting XI at Deepdale after missing out over the Easter period against Norwich and Bristol City.

Achraf Lazaar is a doubt after missing training on Friday due to illness, while Adam Reach looks set to miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

Sam Hutchinson (hamstring) will not be involved, while the game will also come too soon for Rolando Aarons (ankle).

Preston: Midfielder Ben Pearson is back available for selection after serving a three-game suspension.

Fellow midfielder Ryan Ledson begins a four-match ban after picking up his second red card of the season in the 2-0 defeat to Wigan on Monday.

Skipper Tom Clarke, Tom Barkhuizen, Alan Browne, Andrew Hughes, Brandon Barker, Josh Harrop and Brad Potts all remain sidelined.

Tickets

Sheffield Wednesday supporters will be able to purchase tickets on Saturday at Deepdale from the Bill Shankly Kop Ticket Office, located next to the away turnstiles.

There will be no increase in price on the matchday but supporters wishing to purchase concessionary tickets will require ID on the day.

Follow the game live

Subscribers to iFollow in the UK can listen exclusively LIVE online to all the action, while those overseas can watch the game unfold with an exclusive match pass.

Calling the action at Deepdale is our usual duo, Rob O’Neill and former Wednesday striker John Pearson.

Supporters

Owls fans will occupy the Bill Shankly Kop and turnstiles will open at 1.30pm.

The concourse will sell a range of alcoholic/non alcoholic drinks and hot/cold food.

Alcohol will be sold pre-match only, with the concourse kiosks open at half time for soft drinks and food.

Supporters are, as always, reminded of their conduct while following the Owls home and away.

This includes behaviour inside and outside of the stadium, the launching of missiles, pyrotechnics, coins or bottles.

Anyone found to be in breach of ground regulations and/or the law, will be met with potential club and legal action.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Last five v Preston

2018/19
Owls 1-0 Preston | 22 December 2018 | Championship

2017/18
Owls 4-1 Preston | 30 March 2018 | Championship (pictured)
Preston 1-0 Owls | 5 August 2017 | Championship

2016/17
Preston 1-1 Owls | 31 December 2016 | Championship
Owls 2-1 Preston | 3 December 2016 | Championship

Last time out - Owls 1-0 Preston | 22.12.18

Match Reports

Report: Preston 3-3 Wednesday

27 April 2019

Ten-man Wednesday came back from 3-1 down to salvage a point in stunning style at Preston.

Jayden Stockley’s strike and a Tom Lees own goal put the hosts in command until Barry Bannan reduced the arrears.

With the Owls looking for a leveller, Preston broke and Alan Browne extended the advantage.

But a quickfire brace from Fernando Forestieri and substitute Atdhe Nuhiu turned the tide to give Wednesday a deserved share of the spoils.

Dominic Iorfa was sent off for dangerous play late on, which only added to the drama of a ding-dong Deepdale clash.

Wednesday were first to show in a thrilling encounter over the Pennines, with Bannan unleashing from range and Connor Ripley parried clear of the danger zone.

But just as the visitors were looking to assume control, the Lilywhites took the lead on nine minutes.

Callum Robinson delivered a telling ball right into the mix and Stockley was perfectly placed to head powerfully past Cameron Dawson.

Robinson turned from provider to poacher on 21 minutes, bursting inside the area on the angle but Dawson was equal to the low drive.

Wednesday countered on the half-hour mark when Steven Fletcher forced a fine save from Ripley but again, with the Owls sensing a goal, the hosts hit back.

Joe Rafferty and Sean Maguire combined down the right, the former’s cross clipped Michael Hector’s heels and deflected off the head of the unsuspecting Lees before bouncing into the back of the net.

Maguire slid narrowly past the post with half time looming, the Owls probably welcomed the half time whistle and they certainly welcomed the restart as Bruce’s men halved the deficit on 49 minutes.

A mini scramble in the box ended with Marco Matias cleverly teeing up Bannan and the Scot executed an unstoppable shot right into the top corner.

The goal triggered a sustained period of Wednesday pressure and Liam Palmer went close with a long ranger that curled the wrong side of the upright.

But not for the first time, Preston responded at exactly the right time and made it 3-1 on 62 minutes.

Robinson did well to find the advancing Brown, who looked up 18 yards out and slammed home to restore the two-goal cushion.

But the Owls refused to give up and with the clock counting down struck twice in as many minutes to haul themselves level.

First, on 76 minutes, Nuhiu crossed into the path of Forestieri and the Argentine nodded past Ripley in front of the travelling hoards.

Then Nuhiu got on the scoresheet himself two minutes later with a brave diving header to convert Bannan’s feed and send the travelling fans into raptures.

Iorfa saw red for a late challenge on Darnell Fisher before the Owls almost stole a winner at the last.

Kieran Lee – making his first appearance since December 2017 – crossed from the right having only been on a matter of minutes and fellow substitute Lucas Joao’s volley was headed off the line by Fisher.

Wednesday: Dawson, Iorfa, Lees, Hector, Palmer, Matias, Pelupessy, Bannan, Onomah (Nuhiu 67), Forestieri (Lee 84), Fletcher (Joao 77)

Match Reports

Ticket News

Preston ticket update

25 April 2019

Sheffield Wednesday supporters will be able to purchase tickets on Saturday at Deepdale from the Bill Shankly Kop Ticket Office, located next to the away turnstiles.

There will be no increase in price on the matchday but supporters wishing to purchase concessionary tickets will require ID on the day.

Both card and cash payments will be accepted, and prices are as follows;

Adults: £24
Over 65s: £16
19-21 and full time students: £15
Under 19s: £8
Under 11s: £2

Pre-paid tickets and duplicates will also be available to collect at the Bill Shankly Kop Ticket Office, which is open from 1.00pm.

Sheffield Wednesday

Standings

Match preview: Preston v Wednesday

Report: Preston 3-3 Wednesday

Preston ticket update

Ticket details: Preston v Wednesday

Standings

Ticket News

Ticket details: Preston v Wednesday

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