Sheffield Wednesday face Brentford in the FA Cup third round at Hillsborough Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Owls, currently bottom of the Championship on -7 points, will be looking to cause an upset against the in-form Bees. Stephen Gillett, from Playmaker Stats, notes that Sheffield Wednesday have been hit hard by the relentless fixture list over the Christmas and New Year period, with 16 members of their first-team squad departing over the summer. Head coach Henrik Pedersen has been forced to lean heavily on youth, naming just five players over the age of 23 in the matchday squad for Wednesday's 3-0 defeat to QPR last weekend. The Owls have struggled at both ends of the pitch this term, scoring just 18 goals and conceding 51. Barry Bannan, now in his 11th season at Hillsborough, has consistently ranked among the EFL's most inventive midfielders, sitting fifth in the Championship for key passes this season with 49. Brentford, under Keith Andrews, continue to favour quality over quantity in the final third, with an xG per shot of 0.18, the highest across UEFA's top five leagues. The Bees have also taken their efforts from closer, averaging 15 yards, and attempt fewer shots from outside the box, with just 2.3 per game. Sheffield Wednesday's fans will be hoping for a repeat of their famous FA Cup wins, with the club having lifted the trophy three times. The match kicks off at 3pm GMT on Saturday. The Owls will be looking to tighten up against a Brentford team adept at carving out high-probability shooting opportunities. With just one league win to their name all season, Sheffield Wednesday will be seeking to turn their fortunes around against the Bees. The club's administration and points deductions have made for a challenging 2025/26 campaign, but the FA Cup provides a welcome break from the relegation battle. And with the likes of Barry Bannan and other key players, the Owls will be looking to make the most of this opportunity. So, can Sheffield Wednesday cause an upset against Brentford and progress to the next round of the FA Cup? The match at Hillsborough Stadium will be a crucial test for the Owls. But one thing is certain - the fans will be cheering on their team with passion and dedication, hoping for a memorable win against the in-form Bees.
Review
Sheffield Wednesday Face Brentford in FA Cup
Sheffield Wednesday host Brentford in the FA Cup third round, seeking an upset against the in-form Bees, with the Owls looking to arrest their poor form in the Championship
Sheffield Wednesday