The Owls’ 2020/21 campaign begins on Saturday with an EFL Cup clash against League Two side Walsall.

It will be the first time that Wednesday’s season-opener has been a League Cup fixture since 2012/13, when the Owls kicked off the campaign with Oldham away.

It’s been a busy few weeks for the Owls leading up to the curtain-raiser for 2020/21, with training camps at Middlewood, Loughborough, new signings and new coaching staff on board.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game;

MATCH DETAILS

- Date: Saturday, September 5th 2020
- Kick-off, 2.15pm
- Carabao Cup
- Banks’s Stadium

iFOLLOW AND SKY SPORTS

Saturday’s cup clash against the Saddlers will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and will therefore not be streamed on iFollow.

While the doors remain closed to fans, or with limited spectators allowed through the turnstiles, an arrangement exists whereby all matches that are not live on Sky Sports will be available to stream on iFollow for a match pass price of £10.

TEAM NEWS

SWFC: Wednesday head into the game in good shape.

Osaze Urhoghide (knee) is making good progress and is expected back in full training soon.

New recruit Chey Dunkley will miss the trip to Walsall as manager Garry Monk explained during his pre-match press conference:

“He should be joining back in training very soon and we knew with Chey coming in he is going to be a little behind the others but he is really making strong progress.

“We are looking at him to be involved in selection very soon but we have a fully fit squad otherwise.”

Chelsea loanee Izzy Brown is permitted to play in cup fixtures.

Walsall: Walsall have made three signings ahead of the game, with Jack Rose, Emmanuel Osadebe and former Owls academy player Hayden White all joining on free transfers.

The Saddlers have not reported any injury worries ahead of the new season, though midfielder Stuart Sinclair and defender George Nurse have missed the previous two friendlies.

The cup clash will be Walsall’s first competitive fixture since 7 March.

Owls boss on Walsall:

“They’ve played quite a few pre-season games and have been in a lot longer in terms of training. They will be fit and they will be ready.

“It will be a difficult game so we have been preparing all week for it. Of course, the main priority is to concentrate on ourselves. We have to deliver performances, stick together and work hard.

“They will be fully ready and we have to be fully ready.”

Walsall manager Darrell Clarke said:

“Don’t read too much into pre-season, we’ve got a long spell and it’s only four weeks we’ve had pre-season for, for Sheffield Wednesday so I’d imagine in the first couple of months there’s going to be a lot of ironing out to do and players getting minutes.

“We haven’t got the biggest squad and we’ve got quite a few of development type players in that first team squad.

“It’s a tight knit group and they’re working hard for each other.”

LAST MEETING – 20 March 2012 | Owls 2-2 Walsall

LAST FIVE V WALSALL

Owls 2-2 Walsall, 20 March 2012 (League One)
Walsall 2-1 Owls, 26 December 2011 (League One)
Walsall 1-1 Owls, 23 April 2011 (League One)
Owls 3-0 Walsall, 23 November 2010 (League One)
Owls 3-2 Walsall, 26 December 2004 (League One)