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Sheffield Wednesday logo
League One | Gameweek 13
Oct 26, 2022 at 8pm UK
Hillsborough Stadium
Bristol Rovers

Sheff Weds
1 - 1
Bristol Rovers

Smith (45+3')
Ihiekwe (36')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Coburn (60')
Rossiter (39')

Preview: Sheffield Wednesday vs. Bristol Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's League One clash between Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol Rovers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Sheffield Wednesday play host to Bristol Rovers on Wednesday evening looking to consolidate their hold of third position in the League One standings.

While the home side are unbeaten in three matches, 13th-placed Rovers make the trip to Hillsborough having not suffered defeat in the third tier in five games.


Match preview

Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore on February 13, 2022© Reuters

Having failed to win more than two league matches in succession all season, you would be forgiven for thinking that Sheffield Wednesday are far lower in the table than third spot.

However, Darren Moore's side have recorded back-to-back victories on four occasions, ensuring that they have been able to remain on the coattails of Plymouth Argyle and Ipswich Town.

The Owls were denied a third straight success at the weekend when Lincoln City came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw, although Lee Gregory's early goal made it eight matches in a row where the Yorkshire giants have gotten on the scoresheet.

With an eight-point cushion in the playoffs, Moore will be satisfied with his side's current standing, but he will be aware that only wins will realistically do if they wish to keep pace with the in-form top two.

If Ipswich lose to Port Vale on Tuesday night, Wednesday will be able to move into second position on goal difference should they record all three points.

That is far from a guarantee, however, with Bristol Rovers' recent resurgence moving the club away from the relegation zone and keeping Joey Barton in a job.

Although his departure was far from agiven, Rovers had put together an eight-match winless streak at one stage, but that since been replaced by 10 points being collected from a possible 12.

The draw which they earned against high-flying Plymouth at the weekend was arguably more impressive than the previous three wins, Rovers coming from two goals down at half time to earn a share of the spoils.

While clean sheets remain an issue with just one being recorded in 12 outings, Rovers are now closer to the playoffs than they are to the relegation zone, representing a switch in their priorities in the short term.

Aaron Collins continues to emerge as one of the best performing players in the third tier, the Welsh forward now netting a remarkable nine goals and six assists from his 15 starts this campaign.

Sheffield Wednesday League One form:


Sheffield Wednesday form (all competitions):


Bristol Rovers League One form:


Bristol Rovers form (all competitions):



Team News

Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton pictured in May 2021© Reuters

Moore may be prepared to stick with the same Wednesday XI which started the game at Lincoln, but the Owls boss does have options if he wishes to make changes.

George Byers is the most likely to earn a recall, the midfielder an alternative for Will Vaulks in the centre of the pitch.

Tyreeq Bakinson could get the nod ahead of him if Moore opts for a more defensive-minded option, but the defence and forward line should stay unchanged.

Despite his attack-minded approach in the second half having worked against Plymouth, Barton will not deploy that strategy from the off against Sheffield Wednesday.

Barring any fitness issues, an unchanged team is likely, with Middlesbrough loanee Josh Coburn having to make do with a spot among the replacements despite his impact from the substitutes' bench last time out.

Although Luca Hoole was withdrawn at half time, it was a tactical switch, and the 20-year-old should retain his spot at right-back.

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:
Stockdale; Ihiekwe, Heneghan, McGuinness; Palmer, Vaulks, Bannan, Johnson; Windass; Gregory, Smith

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Belshaw; Hoole, Thomas, Gibson, Gordon; Evans, Rossiter, Finley; Anderson, Loft, Collins


SM words green background

We say: Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Bristol Rovers

Given the respective form of these two teams, we are expecting a highly-competitive fixture in Yorkshire. Nevertheless, although Rovers could potentially take the lead or remain on level terms until the closing stages, Wednesday should have enough quality to edge this game by a narrow margin.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Game History

How you voted: Sheff Weds vs Bristol Rovers

Sheffield Wednesday
72.9%
Draw
11.4%
Bristol Rovers
15.7%
70
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland1594225111431
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1510321971231
3Leeds UnitedLeeds158522491529
4Burnley157621861227
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom15672169725
6Watford158162322125
7Middlesbrough157352317624
8Millwall156541813523
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City155732019122
11Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
12Derby CountyDerby155461919019
13Stoke CityStoke155461819-119
14Norwich CityNorwich154652322118
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds155371725-818
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd154561718-117
17Coventry CityCoventry154472021-116
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth154471526-1116
19Hull City153661620-415
20Preston North EndPreston153661523-815
21Luton TownLuton154381726-915
22Cardiff CityCardiff154381423-915
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR151771225-1310


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