Preview: Sheffield Wednesday vs Leicester

Leicester travel to Hillsborough tomorrow to face a troubled Sheffield Wednesday side fighting for their lives to stay in the division.

The Owls have endured a torrid season to date, battling against financial woes off the pitch whilst attempting to stay afloat on it.

Brian Laws was shown the exit earlier in the season after losing away at City, with Alan Irvine since arriving to steady the ship somewhat.

But Wednesday are far from safe, currently residing in the relegation zone, level on points with Crystal Palace, a club also deep in the financial quagmire.

For Leicester it is an opportunity to extend their current eight-match unbeaten run, whilst trying to remain in the hunt for promotion at the top of the pile.

Last weekend’s brilliant home drubbing of Nottingham Forest showed off City’s serious promotion credentials, adding three more vital points to the play-off charge.

Wednesday have lost three Championship matches on the spin, Saturday’s crushing 5-0 defeat at the hands of Reading the summit of a dismal run for Irvine’s men.

Leicester ran out comfortable 3-0 victors when Wednesday visited the Walkers Stadium back in December, a goal from Steve Howard and two from Andy King handing the Foxes an impressive win.

Vital Quotes:

Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Lee Grant: ‘It’s more than fair to say that we owe them something and we owe the club something.

‘There comes a time and Saturday is that time for us to really have to stand up and be counted.

‘Everybody out there on the pitch has to work hard to prove themselves, most importantly for the team, and that goes right from me up to the front two. It’s time for everybody.’

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson: ‘We’re playing against a side that are fighting for their lives. The game comes on the back of a bad result for them, but it’ll be a tough game regardless of what people think.

‘It’s always difficult when you have a bad start. Plymouth are in the same situation, they started the season poorly and even when you have a good run you’re always susceptible of being sucked back into it.

Wednesday have found that. They had an excellent January but still find themselves embroiled in a relegation battle.’

Sheffield Wednesday Team News:

Alan Irvine received positive news this week, as mercurial winger Jermaine Johnson came through training this week following his hamstring injury.

Darren Purse and Francis Jeffers also trained this week after their respective hamstring problems, but defender Lewis Buxton remains sidelined.

Player to watch: Jermaine Johnson

The Jamaican will quite possibly pose Wednesday’s biggest threat on the wing, with Bruno Berner set for his work cut out tomorrow afternoon.

Having just returned from injury the pacy wideman will be eager for action to help his struggling side avoid the drop.

Leicester City Team News:

Nigel Pearson has no fresh injury concerns, which spells out an almost certain mirror of the team which beat Forest last weekend.

Player to watch: Lloyd Dyer

Dyer looks a rejuvinated player in his new, more forward position in City’s three-man frontline, and has so far reaped the rewards with two goals during February.

The former MK Dons man has always struggled for consistency with the Foxes since a blistering start to last year’s League One campaign, but back in Pearson’s line of thought Dyer will be looking to continue his encouraging rebirth.

Match Facts & Stats

– Leicester have not completed a league double over Sheffield Wednesday for 40 years.

– Wednesday are the only side this season not to have a man sent off in the division.

– Leicester are hunting for a third consecutive league win for the first time since October.

– The Foxes have not lost a match in which they have scored first yet this season.

Match Prediction:

I am fairly confident of a win here against a Wednesday side low in confidence. Anything like the performance at the Walkers should see a victory. Wednesday 0-2 Leicester.

Next Fixtures:

Tuesday 9th March:

Sheffield Wednesday: West Brom (A)

Saturday 13th March:

Sheffield Wednesday: Swansea (A)

Leicester: Cardiff (H)