Match preview: Owls v Blackburn

17 January 2020

Wednesday have hit back strong from three successive defeats with impressive back to back wins over Brighton and Leeds in the FA Cup and Championship, respectively.

Goals from Jacob Murphy and Atdhe Nuhiu sealed a big win for the Owls in last week’s Yorkshire derby at Elland Road to move Wednesday back into the top six.

Up next for Garry Monk’s side is Blackburn at Hillsborough, who sit 13th in the Championship and five points behind the Owls.

Rovers had been on a fantastic run throughout November and December but head to Hillsborough without a win in six, with three draws and three defeats.

This weekend’s visitors have lost seven of their last 10 away games, including each of their last three, while the Owls have defeated Blackburn on their last three visits to S6.

Team news

SWFC: Tom Lees (illness) is back available for selection as the Owls skipper closes in on his 200th Wednesday appearance.

Liam Palmer (ankle) and Fernando Forestieri (knee) will miss out this weekend.

The duo have taken part in elements of training and are expected to join in with full sessions next week.

Wednesday have no fresh injury concerns after victory over Leeds and Monk could opt to name an unchanged side.

Steven Fletcher (knee) remains sidelined.

Blackburn: Midfielder Corry Evans is out for the long term after suffering a fractured skull and shattered eye socket against Preston.

Ryan Nyambe is a doubt after suffering a slight hamstring strain in the Rovers’ 1-1 draw with Preston.

Bradley Dack (ACL) faces up to 12 months on the sidelines after suffering the knee injury in Rovers’ clash with Wigan back in December.

Pre-match press conferences

Current form

Owls: LLLWW
Blackburn: DLLLD

Top scorers

Steven Fletcher: 12 goals
Bradley Dack: 10 goals

Family Zone!

Sheffield Wednesday are pleased to announce the relocation of our Family Zone in the Grandstand at Hillsborough, where young Owls can take part in a range of fun activities before every home game.

Owls v Blackburn supporter update

For an update on key supporter information, including entry/egress arrangements CLICK HERE.

Supporter behaviour

Sheffield Wednesday are reminding supporters of their conduct whilst following the team both at Hillsborough and away from home.

The launching of missiles from the stands, including pyrotechnics, are criminal offences to which the club has a zero tolerance policy.

Offensive or unlawful chanting could result in ejection from the stadium and further action from the club and/or relevant authorities.

iFollow

iFollow commentary will be brought to you by Rob O’Neill and John Pearson.

Overseas

Supporters overseas can watch the game live with enhanced multi-camera coverage for the 2019/20 season.

To purchase your match pass click here.

Last meeting – 2 November 2019

Last five v Blackburn

Blackburn 2-1 Owls - 2 November 2019 - Championship
Owls 4-2 Blackburn - 16 March 2019 - Championship
Blackburn 4-2 Owls - 1 December 2018 – Championship
Owls 2-1 Blackburn - 14 February 2017 – Championship
Blackburn 0-1 Owls - 27 September 2016 - Championship

Match Reports

Report: Wednesday 0-5 Blackburn

18 January 2020

Ten-man Wednesday endured an afternoon to forget as Blackburn posted their best away performance of the season and a 5-0 win.

If anything could go wrong for the Owls, it did, with the contest all but over by half time. Lewis Holtby opened the scoring before Massimo Luongo was sent off and Rovers took full advantage before the break.

Cameron Dawson inadvertently registered an own goal and Holtby doubled his tally to crown a miserable first half for Wednesday. Rovers skipper Darragh Lenihan netted early in the second to promptly end any prospect of a comeback and Sam Gallagher added a fifth right at the last.

The Owls had actually looked lively at the start and there was certainly no hint of what was to unfold.

But once Rovers threatened when Adam Armstrong was denied by a last-ditch Julian Börner challenge, the pendulum swung the way of the visitors.

And on 20 minutes, Blackburn hit the front. Dawson saved a fierce Armstrong shot but the ball fell kindly to Holtby, who dragged into the far corner.

Then, just three minutes later, it went from bad to worse for the hosts as Luongo was dismissed. The Australian international was deemed to be late with a tackle on Travis, the card was red, and the Owls were left with an uphill battle.

If Wednesday thought their luck was out, Rovers’ second on 35 minutes only underlined the point.

Travis fired a curling drive goalwards and Dawson produced a fine diving save on to the post – only for the ball to rebound against the prostrate keeper and roll agonisingly into the net.

Blackburn were in cruise control and a third goal was little more than they deserved right on half time.

Armstrong jinked his way down the left of the area and fed the onrushing Holtby, who was left with the simple task of stroking home almost on the line.

The Owls made two changes for the second half, with Tom Lees and Sam Hutchinson introduced from the bench – but the S6 gloom only continued.

Stewart Downing sent a corner to the back post just three minutes after the restart and Lenihan executed a thumping volley that gave Dawson no chance.

It was job done for Rovers, they could afford to ease off the pressure, and Hutchinson was not too far away with a shot from the edge of the box.

But that proved a rare foray up front for the Owls as the game reverted to type and only a strong arm from Dawson prevented Gallagher adding his name to the scoresheet.

Dawson then used his legs to keep out Armstrong at his near post and substitute Joe Rankin-Costello’s low effort whistled wide.

Gallagher would have his moment, though, and scored a fifth goal in stoppage time.

Downing sent the rangy forward bearing down on Dawson and Gallagher finished hard and high, which proved the final act of a day that Wednesday will swiftly look to consign to the history books.

Wednesday: Dawson, Urhoghide (Lees 46), Iorfa, Börner, Fox, Reach, Bannan, Lee (Hutchinson 46), Luongo (S/0 23), Murphy, Winnall (Nuhiu 36)

Match Reports

Ticket News

Ticket details: Owls v Blackburn

30 December 2019

Owls v Blackburn
Saturday 18 January 2020 – (3.00pm)
Championship

Tickets for this Category E fixture start from £25 for Adult Owls Members and £5 for Under 11 Members on the Kop.

Tickets are on sale now to Season Ticket holders and Owls Members and will go on general sale on Monday 6 January.

Tickets are available to purchase in person at the Ticket Office, by telephone on 03700 201867 (Option 1, £2 booking fee per ticket) or online at shop.sheffieldwednesday.co.uk.

Kop	Members	Non Members
Adult	£25	£30
Senior/under 21	£15	£20
Student/armed forces	£20	£30
Juniors under 17	£10	£15
Juniors under 11	£5	£10
Junior under 5 (advance sale only)	£5	£5

Grandstand	Members	Non Members
Adult	£28	£33
Senior/under 21	£18	£23
Student/armed forces	£23	£33
Juniors under 17	£10	£15
Juniors under 11	£5	£10
Junior under 5 (advance sale only)	£5	£5

South	Members	Non Members
Adult	£31	£36
Senior/under 21	£21	£26
Student/armed forces	£26	£36
Juniors under 17	£10	£15
Juniors under 11	£5	£10
Junior under 5 (advance sale only)	£5	£5

Supporters who attend this game and purchase their tickets in advance will receive ten Ticket Priority Points.

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