Sheffield Wednesday v Cardiff City
Venue: Hillsborough Stadium
Date: Saturday, 7th February 2015, 3:00pm
The Bluebirds head to Hillsborough on Saturday afternoon with renewed hope. A busy February ahead will see Russell Slade's side do battle on six occasions, and they will be hoping to start the month off in style with a win against the Owls.
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MATCH FACTS
- Eoin Doyle, Conor McAleny and Matthew Kennedy could all be in line to make their Cardiff City debuts at Hillsborough
- Wednesday could be set to play three debutants of their own, Sergiu Bus, Marnick Vermijl and Melo Silva
- The Owls are planning on paying tribute to Chairman Milan Mandaric before Saturday's match
- Wednesday have only scored seven goals at home this term
- But they've also only conceded 25 goals in 28 matches in the 2014/15 season
- The Bluebirds have won the last four meetings in Sheffield
- Former City defender Glenn Loovens will miss out through suspension, having picked up 10 yellow cards
KEY OPPOSITION PLAYER: Kieren Westwood
An ever present in the league for Sheffield Wednesday this season, Stuart Gray sharply moved to sign Westwood on a two-year deal following his release from Sunderland at the end of the 2013/14 season. His standout performances have helped Wednesday to the second best defensive record in the Sky Bet Championship this term, and the Republic of Ireland International put in an impressive shift at Cardiff City Stadium as the two sides met in September. Westwood can certainly be classed as a reliable pair of hands.
ONE TO WATCH: Lewis Baker
Legendary Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho spoke to the media before the start of the season regarding Baker, claiming if the young midfielder doesn't make it as an England International then it's Mourinho's fault. Statements like these from such a reliable source really do speak highly of the talents Lewis Baker can exhibit on a football pitch. The England U20 International signed for the Owls in early January, with his loan spell continuing until the end of the season. He has made three appearances for Stuart Gray so far this term, and will be looking to play be a key part of the squad in the coming months.
RECENT FORM (ALL COMPETITIONS)
Cardiff City: WWLLLL
Last time out: Cardiff City 0-2 Derby County - Saturday, 31st January 2015, Sky Bet Championship
Cardiff City fell to Derby County – who now move joint-top in the Championship table – as two strikes in the first half allowed Steve McClaren’s visiting team breathing space. In truth, the scoreline did not reflect the Bluebirds’ efforts – Russell Slade’s side much improved from last week’s clash with Reading - though the home side could not find a crucial goal. With Derby happy to sit on their lead and counter-attack, Cardiff piled on the pressure as substitute Kenwyne Jones went closest with a powerful, headed effort though this high-intensity spectacle ended with a two-goal win for the away side.
Cardiff City: Moore, Peltier, Morrison, Connolly, Malone, Noone, O'Keefe (Adeyemi), Gunnarsson (Jones), Harris (Fabio), Whittingham, Revell. Subs Not Used: Ecuele Manga, Macheda, Ralls, Wilson.
Sheffield Wednesday: WLWLDL
Last time out: Reading 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday – Saturday, 31st January 2015, Sky Bet Championship
Nathaniel Chalobah scored on his home debut as Reading secured their first home win since December. The Royals had early chances before Pavel Pogrebnyak headed in from eight yards after Stephen Kelly's cross. Loanee Chalobah's half-volley made it 2-0, and a fine save from Adam Federici from the Owls' effort by Lewis Baker ensured a clean sheet for the Royals.
Sheffield Wednesday: Grant, Shotton, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Hendrick ,Mascarell, Hughes, Dawkins (Bent), Martin, Ward (Bennett). Subs Not Used: Christie, Bryson, Roos, Albentosa, Warnock.
LAST COMPETITIVE MEETING
2014/15: Saturday 27th September, Championship: Cardiff City 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Cardiff City got back to winning ways at home, beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 in a well contested match at Cardiff City Stadium. Wednesday started the quicker in the capital, and were unlucky not to take the lead when Fábio superbly slid Stevie May’s effort off the line. However, it was City who broke the deadlock just before half time when Peter Whittingham’s trademark in-swinging free kick was headed home commandingly by Sean Morrison. After the break Morrison was unfortunate to score at the other end as he prodded Chris Maguire’s low centre past Marshall. But Anthony Pilkington stepped up to drive the Bluebirds to victory, smashing home Kenwyne Jones’ knock down and earning his side an important three points.
Cardiff City: Marshall, Fabio (Ralls), S. Morrison, Ecuele Manga, Brayford, Gunnarsson, Pilkington, Daehli, Noone (R. Morrison), Whittingham, Jones (Macheda). Subs Not Used: Moore, James, Le Fondre, Adeyemi.
Sheffield Wednesday: Westwood, Loovens, Mattock, Buxton, Palmer, Maguire (Hope), Semedo (Madine), Coke (Drenthe), Maghoma, Nuhiu, May. Subs Not Used: McCabe, Helan, Dielna, Kirkland.
