Sheffield Wednesday will aim to break a three-game winless run when they host Blackpool in League One on Sunday afternoon. The match at Hillsborough pits the ninth-placed Owls against a Blackpool side sitting just one point above the relegation zone.
Matt Hamshaw remains in interim charge of Sheffield Wednesday as the club continues its search for a permanent manager. The team's recent form shows a single win in their last five league outings, a sequence that has left them with 19 points from 12 games. They are six points behind leaders Huddersfield Town but have a positive goal difference of eight, having scored 21 times this season.
Recent form and key absences
Sheffield Wednesday's last result was a 1-1 home draw with Cambridge United on Tuesday. Mason Burstow opened the scoring in the 50th minute before a Sullay Kaikai equaliser. That followed a 2-0 defeat at Doncaster Rovers and a 2-0 loss at Notts County. The club's last victory was a 5-0 thrashing of AFC Wimbledon on October 17.
Key forward J. Lowe leads the team's scoring charts with five goals in ten appearances this term. The squad is without summer signing Jordi Liongola, who has been sidelined for two months with a hamstring tear. There is better news regarding defenders Di’Shon Bernard and Louie Barry, who are both returning to fitness.
Blackpool's mixed week
Blackpool arrive after a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa's Under-21s in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night. Goals from Zac Ashworth, Jerry Yates and Jordan Brown secured the win, though manager Ian Evatt was critical of his side's performance. Evatt described his team as a 'naive group' and said they needed to improve their game intelligence. He also noted the absence of key players Fraser Horsfall, CJ Hamilton and George Honeyman weakens the side.
In the league, Blackpool's form has been poor, with four defeats in their last five matches. Their only win in that run was a 2-0 victory over Milton Keynes Dons. They sit 20th in the standings, making this a vital fixture for both clubs.
Sunday's match kicks off at 2pm at Hillsborough. It represents a significant opportunity for Sheffield Wednesday to climb the table ahead of a busy November schedule detailed on the club's fixtures page.
