Match preview: Sunderland v Owls

6 May 2022

MATCH DETAILS

Sunderland v Wednesday
Friday 6 May
7:45pm
Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final first leg
Stadium of Light

A huge game awaits this evening for the Owls as our play-off campaign kicks off tonight at the Stadium of Light.

Both Wednesday and Sunderland have had strong seasons and head into the play-offs in good form.

Darren Moore’s side made absolutely sure of a place in the top six with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Portsmouth on the final day.

We head to Wearside with four wins from the last five and only one defeat in 11.

The Black Cats are also in outstanding form. Alex Neil’s side are on a 13-game unbeaten run ahead of the double-header with Wednesday.

TEAM NEWS

Wednesday: Barry Bannan will be assessed ahead of the game.

The skipper pulled up with injury in the season finale against Pompey. The gaffer said: “When any player enters the field of play there is a risk, and we’ll see what happens with him today. We’ve wrapped Barry up in cotton wool this week and we’ll see what he’s like. He’s still chirpy as he always is around the place – usual Baz.”

Ciaran Brennan is making good progress and has returned to training, while Dominic Iorfa is also making excellent strides in his recovery, though this semi-final clash will come too soon for the defender.

Sunderland: A late call will be made on striker Nathan Broadhead.

The Everton loanee is facing a battle to return for tonight’s semi-final first leg.

After scoring what proved the winning goal last time out against Morecambe, Broadhead was taken off midway through the first half after picking up a knock.

Midfielder Carl Winchester has suffered a setback in his recovery from injury and it’s feared he could miss the rest of the season.

Former Owls loanee Danny Batth has started the last three games after returning to fitness and is expected to feature this evening.

Dennis Cirkin and Aiden McGeady are edging closer to their respective returns.

OFFICIALS

Referee – Matthew Donohue
Assistant referee – Philip Dermott
Assistant referee – Paul Hodskinson
Fourth official – Dean Whitestone

TICKETS

Tickets for Wednesdayites are sold out.

Please note, unlike the league fixture at the Stadium of Light earlier in the season, tonight’s game is not unreserved seating for away supporters. Please sit in your designated seat.

iFOLLOW

Live match commentary will be provided by iFollow in association with BBC Radio Sheffield.

Due to broadcast restrictions and the game being shown live on Sky Sports, it will not be streamed on iFollow.

The same applies to the second leg at Hillsborough on Monday night.

Audio match passes are available HERE.

SOCIAL MEDIA

The hashtag for our content relative to tonight's game is #SUNSHW

Our official Twitter account @swfc will provide a blow-by-blow text update of the game as well as all key match information, including team news at 6.45pm.

Our official Instagram @swfcofficial will also keep you up to date on the latest events, with content uploaded to the story throughout the matchday.

The key news will also be uploaded to our Facebook page HERE.

Watch extended match highlights on our YouTube channel.

Give us a follow on Tik Tok too!

WIN A MATCH-WORN SIGNED SHIRT

We have launched a competition to give fans the chance to win a match-worn and fully signed Wednesday shirt.

.@TheSherlocks are playing at Hillsborough ahead of our game with @SunderlandAFC on Monday! 🎸

We're giving fans the chance to win a match-worn and fully signed #swfc shirt! 🦉

Simply post a video of yourself or a friend singing your favourite Wednesday song using #SingItLoud pic.twitter.com/nIQ17fb1OR
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) May 4, 2022

Simply post a video of yourself or a friend singing your favourite Wednesday song on Twitter, using the hashtag #SingItLoud

FORM GUIDE

Owls: WWLWW
Sunderland: WDWDW

LAST FIVE MEETING

Match Reports

Report: Sunderland 1-0 Wednesday

6 May 2022

A late first half goal from Ross Stewart saw Sunderland edge out the Owls at a raucous Stadium of Light.

This play-off semi-final first leg had all the ingredients for a thriller but never quite came to the boil.

Only once did the lid come off on Wearside, when Stewart made the vital breakthrough to leave the tie delicately poised going into the second leg at Hillsborough on Monday.

The expected fiery start duly unfolded and spawned half chances at both ends – Lee Gregory stabbed wide for Wednesday before Patrick Roberts warmed the gloves of Bailey Peacock-Farrell from distance.

But the game then settled into more of a cagey affair, during which time the respective rearguards gave little or nothing away.

Both defences were well-drilled, robust and organised, leaving teammates higher up the pitch to feed on the merest of scraps.

Peacock-Farrell tipped a deflected Lynden Gooch cross over the bar, which seemed the busiest the keeper would be as the clock ran down on the opening 45.

But right on the stroke of half time, Sunderland broke the deadlock from nowhere. A long punt upfield from a Wednesday corner saw the onrushing Stewart pick the pocket of Sam Hutchinson and the hitman advanced to slide home at the second attempt after Peacock-Farrell diverted the initial shot.

The goal gave the hosts a huge boost and Alex Prichard went within a lick of paint of doubling the lead straight after the restart, curling a clever hit from 20 yards against the frame of the goal.

Wednesday had their backs to the wall and Peacock-Farrell stretched to tip another effort from Prichard before Dennis Cirkin missed a gilt-edged chance, heading off target from close range.

The Owls introduced Josh Windass from the bench but still Sunderland attacked and Hutchinson did well to thwart Roberts with a last-ditch challenge in the box.

Wednesday had a promising spell midway through the second half that led into the closing stages, keeping the ball in the final third, albeit without forcing Anthony Patterson into a save.

And try as they did, the Owls just couldn’t find that ruthless edge, and the Black Cats take the most slender of advantages into a potentially fascinating return tie in S6.

Wednesday: Peacock-Farrell, Palmer, Storey, Dean, Hutchinson, Johnson, Luongo, Byers (Dele-Bashiru 88), Bannan, Berahino (Windass 56), Gregory