Match preview: Swansea v Wednesday

4 July 2020

Wednesday are back in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Sunday lunchtime as Garry Monk’s side make the long trip to Swansea.

The Owls will be looking to bounce back from defeat in midweek against West Brom.

Swansea, meanwhile, have collected four points since the restart with those coming on the road v Middlesbrough (0-3) and Millwall (1-1). The Swans were defeated by a single goal to nil last weekend at the Liberty Stadium by Luton.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of the game in our detailed match preview:

MATCH DETAILS

- Date: Sunday, July 5th 2020
- Kick-off, 12pm
- Sky Bet Championship
- Liberty Stadium

iFOLLOW AND SKY SPORTS

Supporters are reminded that because this game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, single match passes are not on sale.

Season Ticket holders, who have selected the iFollow rebate bundle, can watch the match live on iFollow.

2019/20 RUN-IN RULE REMINDERS

Substitutions

The number of substitutes used during a match which will increase from three to five players, with the matchday squad increasing to 20.

• Each team will have a maximum of three opportunities to make substitutions
• If both teams make a substitution at the same time, this will count as one of the three opportunities for each team.
• In a normal 90 minute fixture, once all three opportunities have been used, no further substitutions can be made.

Walkout protocol

• Players and match official entry will be staggered onto the pitch.
• There will be no handshakes. Players to take up on pitch positions in the same half as they warmed up ready for kick off.

OWLS MEGASTORE

Back at base, the Owls are reminding supporters that the Ticket Office, Megastore and Meadowhall store remain closed until further notice.

TEAM NEWS

SWFC: The positive news coming from the Owls’ camp ahead of Sunday’s match is the potential return of defender Julian Börner.

A dead leg from the 2-1 win over Bristol City ruled Börner out of the West Brom fixture on Wednesday.

Tom Lees (hamstring) could also figure in South Wales. The captain was sidelined against the Baggies but could return to action on Sunday.

Osaze Urhoghide (knee) will be out a little longer as the young defender continues with his recovery.

Loanee Josh Windass (thigh) is expected to return to training next week.

Swansea: The Swans have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of Sunday’s visit of the Owls.

Centre backs Ben Wilmot (knee) and Joe Rodon (ankle) have been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Highly rated defender Rodon has been linked with a move to the Premier League after an impressive campaign from the 22-year-old.

As back up options, Marc Guehi and Ben Cabango could be in line to fill the void, although full backs Kyle Naughton and Jake Bidwell have experience in central defence.

THE MANAGER

💻 Team news, recent form, away trips and Swansea.. Some of the talking points during today's virtual press conference #swfc
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) July 3, 2020

FORM

Owls: LLDWL
Swansea City: DDWLD

LAST MEETING – 9 November 2019

LAST FIVE V SWANSEA CITY

Owls 2-2 Swansea City - 9 November 2019 - Championship
Owls 3-1 Swansea City - 23 February 2019 - Championship
Swansea City 2-1 Owls – 15 December 2018 – Championship
Swansea City 2-0 Owls - 27 February 2018 – FA Cup
Owls 0-0 Swansea City - 17 February 2018 – FA Cup

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Swansea 2-1 Wednesday

5 July 2020

Two quickfire goals in the second half cancelled out Atdhe Nuhiu's late header to give Swansea victory over the Owls at the Liberty Stadium.

Wednesday failed to take advantage of first half dominance that spawned a host of chances, leaving the Swans to snatch all three points courtesy of Rhian Brewster and Andre Ayew.

Nuhiu nodded home in the final minute of the game, but there wasn't enough time left on the clock for Wednesday to mount a charge for an equaliser.

It was hard on Garry Monk’s men, who took the game to their hosts and should have been in the driving seat at half time.

But it was a familiar story in South Wales, marking an unhappy return to Swansea for ex-boss Garry Monk.

After a relatively uneventful opening, his side carved the first opportunity on the 15-minute mark.

Adam Reach darted to the byline and delivered across the face of goal to Jacob Murphy at the back stick but the wideman’s shot was way too high on the half volley.

Murphy did find the target moments later to warm the gloves of Freddie Woodman as the Owls bossed the ball and looked far the more threatening.

Swansea struggled to make any kind of impact in the final third, with the Wednesday backline well organised in the revised 3-5-2 formation.

That gave the visitors the foundation on which to pour forward and again they came close 10 minutes before the break.

A mini scramble in the area led to Alessio Da Cruz taking aim and his low effort was well struck, only for Marc Guehi to divert almost on the goal line.

But Wednesday had their best chance right on the half time whistle – Barry Bannan crossed deep to Da Cruz, the Dutchman’s header sailed over the bar and Swansea considered themselves fortunate to head down the tunnel on level terms.

And the hosts certainly capitalised, taking the lead with their first attack of purpose six minutes into the resumption.

After Joe Wildsmith kept out Ayew’s set piece, the ball was back in the box from the resulting corner and Brewster eventually pounced with a fierce drive that slammed into the back of the net.

The Owls regrouped and headed back upfield – Dominic Iorfa was a whisker way from converting Murphy’s driven feed on the hour.

But Wednesday’s luck was out and they went further behind on 66 minutes from the spot.

Reach tangled with Connor Roberts from a looping cross, the referee saw an infringement and leading scorer Ayew sent Wildsmith the wrong way from 12 yards.

From a seemingly strong position, the Owls suddenly found themselves 2-0 down and chasing the game.

The Swans, though, gained a new-found confidence from their two-goal salvo and Wednesday found it hard to force a way through.

And it was the home side who should have put the points to bed with eight minutes to go but Brewster screwed wide advancing on goal on the angle.

Substitute Nuhiu pulled a close range shot across Woodman and wide in the next passage of play, but his final attempt would be more clinical.

Murphy crossed from the right and the Kosovan striker's clean header was too powerful for Woodman, but it proved to be just a consolation for the Owls.

Wednesday: Wildsmith, Iorfa, Börner, Palmer, Murphy, Bannan, Reach (Harris 67), Luongo (Nuhiu 70), Lee (Hunt 46), Da Cruz (Rhodes 79), Wickham

Match Reports

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