Sheffield Wednesday: Owls set sights on ending Molineux hoodoo

It has been over a decade since Wednesday, currently lying ninth in the standings, picked up maximum points at Molineux.

The Owls have failed to win on any of their last six visits to Wolves, losing all of the last five meetings in the West Midlands.

It is a wretched run, with Wednesday tasting victory in Wolves’ backyard only twice in 14 attempts in all competitions since 1990.

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But if Carvalhal’s men should need any inspiration, they only have to look back at the Hillsborough tussle last December. The Owls ended their 51-year wait for victory over Wolves on home soil, strolling to an impressive 4-1 success. Strikes from forward Fernando Forestieri (2), left-back Daniel Pudil and Gary Hooper helped Wednesday beat Wolves at the 17th time of asking.

There is expected to be a bumper crowd at Molineux this Saturday for Paul Lambert’s first home match in charge. Around 27,000 are set to cheer on Wolves, who sit in 19th position, a meagre two points above the relegation zone. Their biggest attendance so far this campaign is 23,607 for the visit of Leeds United.

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Lambert said: “It’ll be a great occasion. I’m looking forward to it. That’ll be an incredible atmosphere. To get most of those people in will be a great atmosphere.”

The 47-year-old Glaswegian replaced Walter Zenga, whose reign lasted just 87 days and 14 matches before he was sacked, at the beginning of November.

It is Lambert’s seventh job in management. He has previously been in charge of Livingston, Wycombe Wanderers, Colchester United, Norwich City, Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers. He admits he missed being out of work.

“There’s a great adrenaline rush about all this,” said Lambert. “It’s still heart-attack material but it’s what I’ve done since I was 15.”

Lambert oversaw a goalless draw away to Preston North End last weekend. It was Wolves’ first clean sheet since September 17.

Wolves are currently on their longest winless streak (eight matches) since the 2012-13 season (13 matches).

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