The Championship's two worst-performing outfits clash at Hillsborough in Tuesday's basement battle, as Sheffield Wednesday welcome Middlesbrough to their headquarters.
The Owls' woes continued in a 1-0 home loss to Ipswich Town at the weekend, while Michael Carrick's men were put to the sword 2-1 by Blackburn Rovers.
Match preview
© Reuters
While Ipswich have enjoyed a seamless transition from League One to the Championship football, the same cannot be said for playoff winners Sheffield Wednesday, whose manager Xisco Munoz issued a grovelling apology to fans after his side's painful loss to the Tractor Boys.
Goalkeeper Devis Vasquez had managed to keep Ipswich at bay for almost all of the first half, but Conor Chaplin's drilled effort deflected into the back of the net off Akin Famewo just before the break, and the Owls deservedly took zero points away from the battle of the newly-promoted sides.
A cacophony of boos rang out at full time as Sheffield Wednesday were condemned to their fifth loss from six Championship matches in the 2023-24 season, as Munoz's side failed to build on a goalless draw with Leeds United on September 2, which saw them put their first point on the board.
Only Swansea City and upcoming opponents Middlesbrough have also gone winless in their opening six fixtures of the new term, although the Welsh outfit have at least picked up two draws, and the 23rd-placed hosts are only above Boro on goal difference heading into Tuesday's bottom-of-the-table encounter.
Ten goals shipped is far from the worst defensive record in the division, but a joint-low four goals highlights where Sheffield Wednesday's issues lie, and their only home success so far this season was a nervy penalty-shootout win over Stockport County in round one of the EFL Cup.
© Reuters
While Sheffield Wednesday's knockout journey is now over, Middlesbrough have harnessed their League Cup specialities to see off Huddersfield Town and Bolton Wanderers in the tournament, setting up a very winnable third-round affair with Bradford City in the process.
However, success in the EFL Cup pales into insignificance when taking a glance at Boro's Championship exploits, as former interim Manchester United head coach Carrick enters the midweek round of matches with his side sat at the foot of the rankings owing to an abysmal start.
The Ewood Park faithful were treated to a one-man show from Sammie Szmodics when Blackburn hosted Middlesbrough at the weekend, as the 27-year-old made the net ripple either side of the half-time whistle before Matt Crooks cut the deficit in half, although he appeared to be in an offside position when directing an improvised finish into the net.
Boro - who could do with a Chuba Akpom right now - were unable to capitalise on that stroke of fortune, though, and they are now winless in 11 successive Championship matches since beating Hull City back in April, losing each of their first three away games so far this season.
Nine goals shipped on rival turf also represents the worst defensive record of its kind in the division, but Boro have won two of their last three matches versus Sheffield Wednesday, including a 2-1 triumph in front of an empty Hillsborough in July 2020.
Team News
© Reuters
As if Sheffield Wednesday's affair with Ipswich was not miserable enough for the home crowd, manager Munoz confirmed that captain Barry Bannan was absent due to injury - as were Will Vaulks and Bambo Diaby - but the Owls boss did not elaborate on their issues.
Munoz did offer hope that Bannan could be available for Tuesday's match, but Wednesday also lost centre-back Dominic Iorfa to a knock in the 29th minute of their loss on Saturday, so Di'Shon Bernard could be introduced into the rearguard.
Both Lee Gregory and Michael Smith were withdrawn at half time against Ipswich following ineffective first-half cameos, so Munoz may take a punt on Watford loanee Ashley Fletcher, who was on the books at the Riverside Stadium between 2017 and 2021.
Carrick and Munoz can at least empathise when it comes to fresh defensive concerns, as newly-signed left-back Alex Bangura was forced off 20 minutes before the end at Ewood Park with a hamstring issue and has emerged as a serious doubt for Tuesday.
Bangura was stepping in for Lukas Engel, who missed the clash with a foot problem, but Carrick is optimistic that the latter's injury will settle down in time for Tuesday, while Paddy McNair was fit enough for a spot on the bench after taking a knock during the international break.
Anfernee Dijksteel and Matt Clarke are also out of contention, while Tommy Smith failed to shake off an ankle problem in time for the loss to Blackburn, but Marcus Forss was able to complete 87 minutes following an issue of his own.
Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:
Vasquez; Paterson, Famewo, Bernard, Palmer, Delgado; Musaba, Hendrick, Bannan, Windass; Fletcher
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Dieng; Van den Berg, Fry, Lenihan, Engel; O'Brien, Howson; Forss, Crooks, McGree; Latte Lath
We say: Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Middlesbrough
With a mere eight goals between them so far, sparks should not fly in the final third when the Championship's cellar dwellers lock horns this week, and there is little that can separate the two strugglers on paper.
Jellied legs from the weekend may also play its part in a drab affair, one which we can picture ending without the net rippling once as both sides' winless runs continue.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
