Match Preview: Sheffield Wednesday

CRAVEN COTTAGE | 19:00 KO

Image: Reuters

Today we welcome Sheffield Wednesday to the Cottage, with a potential tie against Brentford on the horizon. This gives us all the incentive to try and get a good result.

We come into this game having lost both of our games in the league to Arsenal and Leeds, with our only win coming in the cup against Ipswich Town. Despite a cup run being an unneeded extra fixture as we fight against relegation at this stage, it could be important for moral. Sheffield Wednesday are unbeaten so far this season with a win and a draw in the league and two wins in the cup. It will be an interesting game under the lights and Sheffield Wednesday should not be underestimated.

I would make eight changes to the team that lost 4-3 to Leeds as I feel squad rotation is important in this competition. The two players that I think should keep their places are Onomah, Mitro and Odoi. I would start Rodak in goal. A back four of Robinson, Ream, Odoi and Aina. A midfield of Lemina Cairney and Onomah, with Kebano Mitro and Knockaert up front.

I think we will win 1-0 with an Onomah goal.


Head To Head

  • Fulham Wins – 28
  • Draws – 17
  • Sheff Wed Wins – 32
  • Goals Scored – 118
  • Goals Conceded – 118
  • Biggest Wins – Fulham 1-6 Sheff Wed (1960/61), Fulham 6-2 Sheff Wed (1958/59)

Last 5 Games

  • Fulham 5-3 Sheffield Wednesday
  • Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Fulham
  • Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Fulham
  • Fulham 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday
  • Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Fulham

Last Time Out

Image: Fulham FC

FULHAM 5-3 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY

Last time we played Sheffield Wednesday we came out 5-3 victors in a thriller at the Cottage. A single Kebano goal and a Mitro brace put us three up at half time but Atdhe Nuhiu got a goal back after the break. Kebano then scored a superb freekick but Jacob Murphy pegged us back again. Nuhiu made it 4-3 late on but Decordova-Reid came off the bench to ensure the 5-3 victory. Reed got a second yellow in stoppage time meaning we ended the game with ten men.


Opposition Focus

We spoke to Robert Bonser, interim director of the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters Trust to get the oppositions perspective ahead of tonight’s game…

Given the points deduction, do you think you’ve got enough to escape relegation this season?

Yes we have with new additions and new coaching staff, we should finish mid-table, however we must maintain the start we have had and not get too down with the odd poor result, as long as we okay to our strengths.

Are you concerned for the future of the football club?

It appears the building blocks are in place for a revitalised start by the club so as long as there is a strong level of unity on and off the pitch we should be heading in the right direction on both counts.

It’s certainly been a rocky time for us, but there is an improved feeling out there!

Are you expecting a strong side to be put out for this game?

We will put out a strong side as it’s important to keep this seasons positive momentum going, there will no doubt be some rotation but that doesn’t mean that we will play less experienced players.

How do you see the game panning out? 

It’s clearly going to be tough for us given the Fulham squad but with our new found drive on the field, we should expect a confident display from the team. Looking back to last season we certainly gave you a game in the second half of that last match at The Cottage! 3-2 to Wednesday.

Thanks to Robert Bonser from @SWFCTrust for answering our questions.


Players in Common

Image: Sky Sports

Mark Crossley, Urby Emmanuelson, Shefki Kuqi, Mark Pearson, Dejan Stefanovic, Simon Stewart, Alan Warboys.


Score Predictions

Fulham View: Russ Goldman (@CottageTalk)

Fulham 3-0 Sheffield Wed

Wednesday View: Sheffield Wednesday Supporters’ Trust (@SWFCTrust)

Fulham 2-3 Sheffield Wednesday

Former Player: Chris David 

Fulham 3-0 Sheffield Wednesday


PREDICTED LINE-UP