Sheffield Wednesday's next fixture against Blackpool arrives as a growing number of clubs suffer back-to-back relegations from the Premier League to League One. The Championship is experiencing a rare wave of this double drop, with Burnley potentially becoming the third side in three years to endure it after Luton and Leicester. Since the 2011-12 season, when Wolves were the first to suffer the fate, it has happened four times in 14 seasons. Jobi McAnuff said, "Despite the fact we've seen Luton and Leicester suffer back-to-back relegations in recent years, I don't see it as a trend that will continue." He added, "For both of those clubs, in my opinion, it was a case of mismanagement of the playing squad."

Burnley's financial strain and record home win drought

Burnley's situation illustrates the severe challenges. The club carried £142m in loans in its 2024-25 accounts, the highest debt level in the Championship. On the pitch, they set a new English league record for the longest run without a home win, going 378 days without a victory at Turf Moor. Fabio Celestini was appointed head coach after a 4-1 defeat by Lincoln City, with Diego Lopez coming in as chief football officer.

Sheffield Wednesday's current form and next challenge

For Sheffield Wednesday, the narrative hits close to home as they prepare for a key League One match. The Owls sit 9th in the table with 19 points from 12 games, having won five, drawn four and lost three. Their recent form has been mixed, with the last five results reading DLLWD, including a 1-1 draw with Cambridge United last Tuesday and defeats to Doncaster and Notts County. They are six points behind leaders Huddersfield. The next test is a home game against Blackpool, who are 20th, on Sunday, November 1. A full fixtures list shows the importance of the upcoming run. Jamie Lowe is the team's top scorer this season with five goals.

The club's own history includes relegation to League One after a third season in the Championship, alongside Leeds. With the spectre of a double drop now more common, Wednesday's focus is firmly on securing points to climb the standings. The match against Blackpool at Hillsborough kicks off at 3pm on Sunday.