A closer look at Tuesday’s trip to Sheffield Wednesday in Sky Bet League One
- Match Preview | Sheffield Wednesday v Latics
- A closer look into Tuesday’s clash at Hillsborough
- Leam Richardson’s side will be hoping to return to winning ways in Sky Bet League One
Wigan Athletic will travel to Sheffield Wednesday in Sky Bet League One on Tuesday evening (kick-off 19:45pm).
Leam Richardson’s side will head into the fixture looking to bounce back from Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round defeat at Stoke City. Backed by over 4,000 supporters at the bet365 Stadium, Latics produced a spirited performance though goals from Josh Maja and Jacob Brown in each half were enough to help the Potters book their place in the next round of the competition.
The result meant that Latics fell to their first loss in 20 matches, though Richardson’s side will be determined to put another unbeaten run of games together, starting with Tuesday’s trip to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday.
Latics will be without Gwion Edwards for tomorrow evening’s game, who is suspended on the back of receiving a red card on Saturday.
Sheffield Wednesday, on the other hand, will arrive into the game full of confidence after recording three consecutive wins over Ipswich Town, Morecambe and Burton Albion.
FORM GUIDE – LAST SIX IN ALL COMPETITIONS
Latics: WWWWDL
Sheffield Wednesday: LWLWWW
THE SEASON SO FAR | SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
After suffering relegation to Sky Bet League One last season, Sheffield Wednesday will be hoping that they can bounce back to the Championship at the first time of asking.
A 3-3 draw at Derby County meant that the Owls were relegated from the Championship on a dramatic final day which saw them staying up for a matter of seconds, only for Martyn Waghorn to convert the penalty which denied Wednesday the three points that they needed.
Following their relegation to the third tier, Darren Moore’s side embarked on a journey of transition last summer, bringing in no fewer than 15 senior players through the door. Wednesday strengthened their squad across the board, with experienced forward Lee Gregory, goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Dennis Adeniran all impressing in the first half of the 2021/22 campaign.
The wholesale switch-up, along with the positive ethos of charismatic manager Moore, delivered a fresh sense of optimism that Wednesday can push towards a successful season, and the hope has certainly not been misplaced as the Owls have made excellent progress so far this year.
Starting the season with a goalless draw at Charlton Athletic, the Owls recorded three straight victories over Doncaster Rovers, Fleetwood Town and Rotherham United before falling to their first defeat of the season at Morecambe at the end of August.
Wednesday began September with a heavy defeat at Plymouth Argyle, and after earning consecutive draws with Shrewsbury Town and Ipswich Town, Moore’s side ended the month by returning to winning ways with a 2-1 win against Latics at the DW Stadium.
October proved to be a testing month for the Owls after they picked up seven points in six games, with their only win coming in a 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers. November, however, started with aplomb after they earned a convincing win over Sunderland. After a 1-1 draw with Gillingham, further victories against Accrington Stanley and MK Dons would follow before battling to a 2-2 draw with Wycombe Wanderers to take them into December.
The Owls played just three times in December after their festive football schedule was interrupted. They obtained four points from a possible nine, including a 2-0 victory at the Mornflake Stadium against Crewe Alexandra.
After falling to consecutive defeats at Sunderland and Shrewsbury Town, Wednesday claimed their first victory of 2022 with a 4-2 triumph over Plymouth Argyle. They recovered quickly from a 3-2 defeat at Oxford United by picking up three impressive back-to-back victories over Ipswich Town, Morecambe and Burton Albion ahead of tomorrow night’s game at Hillsborough.
LATICS LINKS
There are currently seven connections between the two sides, with first-team coaches James Beattie, Darryl Flahavan and Rob Kelly all previously having spells at Hillsborough,
Beattie and Flahavan previously spent time as part of Garry Monk’s coaching staff at Sheffield Wednesday between August 2020 and November 2020 while Kelly had a spell with the Owls as Assistant Manager and caretaker boss in 2011.
Chey Dunkley and Josh Windass are currently plying their trade with Sheffield Wednesday after both departed the DW Stadium to join the Owls in the summer of 2020.
Latics forward Will Keane previously had a loan spell with Wednesday in 2015 while Joe Bennett could also line up against his former club after he also spent time on loan with the Owls in 2016.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Latics and Sheffield Wednesday have previously met 13 times in senior competitions since their first-ever encounter in January 1976, with five victories for Latics and eight wins for the Owls.
Following falling to a 2-0 defeat at Hillsborough in the 1976 FA Cup, Latics were able to record their inaugural victory over the Owls during their memorable FA Cup run in 1977/78. After qualifying for the first round proper with a victory at Marine, Latics overcame Fourth Division side York City before being rewarded with a home tie against Jack Charlton’s Wednesday. Ian McNeill's men once again pulled off a major upset when Maurice Whittle scored the only goal in the encounter in the 74th minute.
The first Football League meeting between the two sides was abandoned after 59 minutes due to a waterlogged pitch at Hillsborough in February 2014, though Latics won the rearranged fixture comfortably thanks to a brace from Nicky Maynard and a late goal from Marc-Antoine Fortune.
The most memorable meeting came on the opening day of the 2018/19 season as Latics came out on top of a five-goal thriller courtesy of Michael Jacobs' double and Nick Powell's goal on the hour mark
The last meeting between the two sides finished in a 2-1 victory for the Owls as Max Power’s own goal and Callum Paterson’s second-half strike were enough to secure the points for Darren Moore’s side despite a late penalty from Charlie Wyke.
TICKETS
Tickets for Wigan Athletic's Sky Bet League One trip to Sheffield Wednesday are on general sale.
Latics head to Hillsborough on Tuesday 8 February (kick-off 7:45pm) and received an initial 1,148 tickets for the match in South Yorkshire. A strong contingent are already making the trip, with a pay-on-the-night option available for Latics fans making a late trip.
Tickets must be purchased/collected from the DW Stadium Ticket Office before 12pm on Tuesday, or supporters must call the DW Stadium Ticket Office to arrange collection at Hillsborough Stadium
Tickets for the clash with the Owls are priced as follows:
Adults - £24
Over 65s - £14
Under 21s - £14
Under 11s - £10
Under 5s - £5
