Ipswich v Wednesday
Saturday 16 March
3:00pm
Championship
Portman Road
THE MATCH
The Owls are back on their travels this weekend as Danny Röhl and the squad make the long trip to Ipswich.
Both sides gained promotion from League One last season but are fighting different battles this time around.
The Tractor Boys are in the Championship promotion shake-up, currently third and head into the weekend’s round of fixtures one point behind Leeds.
Kieran McKenna’s side suffered a blow in their hunt for back-to-back promotions last weekend as Cardiff struck in the 95th and 100th minute to seal an unlikely 2-1 win.
Prior to that reverse in the Welsh capital, Ipswich were on a six-game winning streak.
Goals have been aplenty at Portman Road with Ipswich boasting the most scored on home soil (47). At the other end, though, only three clubs have conceded more goals at home than the Tractor Boys (29).
The Owls are underdogs this weekend but will head to Portman Road with plenty of positivity following a strong spell in the season.
After winning four league games on the bounce, a 2-0 home defeat against Leeds ended that purple patch last week.
But Röhl’s side have always responded well after setbacks and a win on Saturday could see Wednesday move out of the bottom three.
TEAM NEWS
Wednesday: A big boost for the Owls is the return of Ian Poveda.
The lively forward has been superb since joining on loan from Leeds and was missed last time out in the clash with his parent club.
Josh Windass, Kristian Pedersen and Callum Paterson are making good progress and will be looking to return after the international break.
Paterson had been expected back in April after a knee operation but, such has been his progress, the Owls manager has said late March is now a possibility.
Owls skipper Barry Bannan is no longer walking a suspension tightrope.
The captain has been on nine yellow cards for the last six games but the cut-off date for 10 yellows triggering a two-game ban has now passed.
Ipswich: Despite defeat against Cardiff last weekend, McKenna is likely to name a similar side to line up against Wednesday.
The Tractor Boys have no fresh injury concerns.
Brandon Williams, Janoi Donacien and ex-Owl George Hirst remain sidelined.
OFFICIALS
Referee: Leigh Doughty
Assistant Referee 1: Nigel Lugg
Assistant Referee 2: Mark Stevens
Fourth Official: Anthony Backhouse
PRESS CONFERENCE
TICKETS
Tickets for the Owls’ trip to Ipswich have sold out.
Wednesday will be backed by just over 2,000 visiting supporters in Suffolk.
iFOLLOW
Live audio coverage is available for UK-based supporters, in association with BBC Radio Sheffield.
Wednesdayites based overseas can stream the match live.
Click HERE to purchase your audio or video Match Pass.
SOCIAL MEDIA
The hashtag for the match is #IPSSHW
Our X account @swfc will provide match updates, with team news at 2:00pm.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and subscribe and turn on notifications for our YouTube channel, where you can view extended match highlights.
Join almost 60k Wednesdayites already on board with our WhatsApp platform - click the image below to follow the channel!
LOVE FOOTBALL, PROTECT THE GAME
The EFL have amplified the importance of all supporters acting responsibly when attending games.
The FA, Premier League and EFL will continue to promote the ‘Love Football. Protect the Game’ campaign, working with clubs, police forces and all relevant authorities to keep matchday environments safe.
Click HERE for full details.
Supporters are also urged to stay within EFL Ground Regulations, which can be found HERE
