Match preview: Boro v Wednesday

23 April 2021

Sheffield Wednesday head to Middlesbrough on Saturday looking for another positive result in our fight for survival.

The 1-0 victory over Blackburn in midweek bolstered our hopes of maintaining Championship status with three games to play.

While results elsewhere are also a huge factor at this stage, the focus from within the camp is solely on what we can affect on the pitch.

The win over Rovers was a significant boost for Wednesday, but all attention is now on Saturday’s clash at The Riverside and taking another stride forward in our bid for safety.

Middlesbrough stand in the way of another crucial three points.

Their 2-1 win over Rotherham was Boro’s first win in six games – a run which included four defeats.

MATCH DETAILS

Date: Saturday 24 April
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Championship
Riverside Stadium

OFFICIALS

Referee - Jarred Gillett
Assistant Referee 1 - Philip Dermott
Assistant Referee 2 - Paul Hodskinson
Fourth Official - Michael Salisbury

LIVE BROADCAST

The game will be broadcast live on iFollow with four-camera coverage and commentary in association with BBC Radio Sheffield.

Match passes are available by CLICKING HERE

FOLLOW THE GAME ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Our official Twitter account @swfc will provide a blow-by-blow text update of Boro v Wednesday, as well as posting key information, including team news at 2.00pm.

Our official Instagram @swfcofficial will also keep you up to date on the latest events at The Riverside.

TEAM NEWS

Owls: There are no fresh injury concerns from our 1-0 win over Blackburn in midweek.

Chey Dunkley and Massimo Luongo are back out on the grass at Middlewood Road, with assistant manager Jamie Smith saying;

“Chey is getting closer, he’s been out with Tony Strudwick over the last week or so and joining in little bits of the training – he’s well on his way. We’re hoping he can play again this season.

“Massimo is in the same sort of boat with regards to where he’s at. He’s doing stuff out on the grass with Struds and bits with the team as well.”

Joost van Aken is an injury doubt, while Izzy Brown (illness) is unlikely to feature.

Middlesbrough: Defender Grant Hall is a doubt for the clash with Wednesday after suffering a head injury against Rotherham in midweek.

Hall required several stitches after a clash of heads with Millers midfielder Matt Crooks, who was sent off for the challenge.

Djed Spence and Hayden Coulson could return to the squad after missing out against Rotherham through injury and illness, respectively.

FORM GUIDE

Owls: WLLDW
Middlesbrough: LDLLW

LAST FIVE v Middlesbrough

Owls 2-1 Boro – 29 December 2020 - Championship
Owls 1-2 Boro – 22 July 2020 – Championship
Boro 1-4 Owls – 28 September 2019 – Championship
Boro 0-1 Owls – 26 December 2018 – Championship
Owls 1-2 Boro – 19 October 2018 – Championship

Match Reports

Report: Middlesbrough 3-1 Wednesday

24 April 2021

The Owls slipped to a 3-1 defeat at Middlesbrough and have two games to go against Nottingham Forest and Derby to beat the drop.

Yannick Bolasie fired Boro into the lead before Josh Windass equalised from the penalty spot in an incident-packed first half.

But despite bossing long periods of the game, the Owls conceded twice after the break as substitute Josh Coburn and Duncan Watmore made the points safe.

Wednesday made the early running at the Riverside but it was Boro that fashioned the first real opening when Patrick McNair drilled across Keiren Westwood and wide.

Barry Bannan shot into the midriff of Jordan Archer moments later before the hosts burst into the lead 20 minutes in.

Julian Börner had his pocket picked by Bolasie, who motored forward on the angle to finish high into the net with the aid of a deflection.

Boro had their tails up and George Saville headed a set piece over but Wednesday regrouped and threatened themselves, with Andre Green going agonisingly close with a snapshot from just inside the area.

Westwood spectacularly denied McNair with a flying save and Bolasie almost doubled his tally after cutting in to flash a low shot past the post.

But with the home side starting to turn the screw, the Owls broke and won a penalty from which they levelled.

Green embarked on a tricky run into the box that was only ended by Marc Bola, who upended the former Villa man.

The referee pointed to the spot and Windass gave Archer no chance from 12 yards.

Wednesday, though, suffered an immediate blow when Tom Lees landed awkwardly from an aerial challenge and lied prostrate on the turf before being stretchered off after a lengthy delay.

The first half ended with Archer diving to keep out an Adam Reach hit before Liam Palmer hooked over the bar right on the whistle.

Wednesday continued on the front foot and Windass sidefooted wide following excellent work down the flank by Green.

Dominant and confident in possession, the Owls looked by far the more likely to make the next breakthrough.

But against the run of play, the home side restored their lead on 74 minutes.

Dangerman Bolasie got to the byline and delivered a hanging cross that Coburn glanced past Westwood off the far post.

Ex-Boro striker Jordan Rhodes headed into the grateful arms of Archer from a Green cross straight after the restart as the Owls sought an instant way back.

But those hopes were dashed eight minutes from time when Watmore stabbed home from close range to put the contest to bed.

Wednesday: Westwood, Palmer, Hutchinson, Lees (Urhoghide 41), Börner (Hunt 82), Bannan, Pelupessy, Reach, Green (Harris 82), Windass, Paterson (Rhodes 71)