MX23RW : Friday, January 31 05:54:27| >> :600:154711:154711:
[monks data]
Sheffield Wednesday logo
Championship
Feb 28, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Middlesbrough logo

2-0

Nuhiu (52' pen.), Keane (54')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Sheffield Wednesday vs. Middlesbrough

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough.

A dramatic race for promotion continues this weekend as title chasers Middlesbrough make the trip to Hillsborough to take on Sheffield Wednesday.

After claiming top spot just over a week ago, Middlesbrough fell from the summit with a 1-0 defeat to Leeds United last weekend before getting back on track by beating Bolton Wanderers 1-0 at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday.

The win over Bolton means Aitor Karanka's side are just two points behind leaders Derby County, but the Spaniard was far from happy with his side on Tuesday evening, claiming that it was one of the worst performances of his reign.

Karanka will be hoping those comments bring a reaction from his players as he looks to avoid a slump in form which could quickly change the picture at the top of the table, with seven points currently separating Derby and seventh-placed Brentford.

Middlesbrough are in for a tough challenge against a Wednesday side which returned to their best by beating Millwall 3-1 on Tuesday to end a run of seven Championship matches without a win.

A confidence-boosting win at The Den left Wednesday in 11th spot, and Stuart Gray is likely to name an unchanged side as he searches for consistency once again.

Despite Karanka's obvious disappointment with the display against Bolton, he could also hand the same 11 players the chance to record crucial back-to-back wins.

Sheffield Wednesday:

Recent form: LDLDLW

Possible starting lineup: Kirkland, Palmer, Lees, Zayatte, Dielna, Lee, Semedo, McGugan, Maghoma, Keane, Nuhiu

Middlesbrough:

Form in Championship: WWWDLW
Form in all competitions: WWLDLW

Possible starting lineup: Konstantopoulos, Fredericks, Kalas, Gibson, Friend, Leadbitter, Clayton, Reach, Tomlin, Adomah, Bamford

Sports Mole says: 1-2


ID:207887: cacheID:207887:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4057:
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manager of Middlesbrough Aitor Karanka looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Middlesbrough at St Andrews Stadium on December 7, 2013
Read Next:
Karanka critical of winning display
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds29179353193460
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd29186540211958
3Burnley29151223692757
4Sunderland291510442241855
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom291014538251344
6Middlesbrough29128947361144
7Blackburn RoversBlackburn29126113228442
8Bristol City29101183734341
9Watford29125124041-141
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds29118104245-341
11Norwich CityNorwich29109104842639
12Coventry CityCoventry29108113938138
13Queens Park RangersQPR2991193237-538
14Millwall29910102826237
15Preston North EndPreston2981383236-437
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2999113343-1036
17Swansea CitySwansea2997133240-834
18Cardiff CityCardiff29710123344-1131
19Hull City2978143038-829
20Stoke CityStoke29611122636-1029
21Portsmouth2978143652-1629
22Derby CountyDerby2976163240-827
23Luton TownLuton2975172948-1926
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth29410152762-3522


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!