Sheffield Wednesday will be going in search of a winning start to the 2026/27 campaign when they face Bolton Wanderers in the first round of the Carabao Cup at Hillsborough on Saturday afternoon.
Following an impressive summer off the pitch, optimism and excitement levels are as high as they have been in years at Hillsborough, with Owls supporters looking forward to the future under new ownership group Arise Capital Partners.
Alongside making a series of ground improvements and upgrades at the club’s Middlewood Road training ground, Arise have also overseen the arrivals of 13 new signings already this summer, meaning everyone is confident Wednesday will put the misery of last season firmly behind them.
With a whole host of new faces being drafted in over the last few weeks, manager Henrik Pedersen now faces the task of trying to work out his strongest starting XI for next Saturday’s League One opener against Leyton Orient, meaning a competitive outing to start the season is probably just what he needed.
Ahead of their clash with Bolton, here is how The Star thinks Wednesday could line up...
5. LB: Max Lowe
Wednesday might not make a better signing than Max Lowe this summer, after tying him down to a new contract. Despite interest from Championship clubs, Lowe made the decision to stay at Hillsborough. A switch to a back four means he is highly likely to start at left-back. | Getty Images
6. CDM: Jarvis Thornton
Fresh from signing a new contract at Hillsborough earlier this week, Thornton might find himself making the starting XI against Bolton after summer signing Billy Mitchell was ruled out with an ankle problem. The Owls academy graduate will be hoping to go up through the gears this season after taking advantage of last season's torrid situation at Hillsborough. | Getty Images
7. CDM: Barry Bannan
It will be like he has never been away. Just over six months after it looked as though he had played his 477th and final game for Wednesday, Bannan will be back in blue and white this weekend, and it is highly likely he will start against his former club. He returned to Hillsborough from Millwall earlier this summer, and he is almost certainly going to have a big role to play this season. | Getty Images
8. RM: Jordi Liongola
Wednesday's right wing is currently a bit of a mystery, making it hard to predict exactly who will play there at this moment in time. It is no secret the Owls want to strengthen that department, but options are currently limited. Summer signing Liongola, who can play at right-back, left-back and on either flank as a winger is currently the most likely candidate to take the right-wing spot against Wanderers. | BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images