Sheffield Wednesday face nightmare relegation scenario vs Sheffield United after West Brom defeat
Sheffield Wednesday could be officially relegated to League One at Bramall Lane on Sunday.
Sheffield Wednesday face the prospect of being officially relegated from the Championship against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Sunday afternoon.
After Blackburn Rovers beat Lancashire rivals Preston North End 1-0 in dramatic fashion at Ewood Park on Friday night, the Owls knew a victory for West Bromwich Albion against Coventry City at The Hawthorns on Saturday lunchtime would officially see them condemned to League One football next season.
However, the Baggies were beaten 2-0 by the Championship table-toppers, meaning Wednesday, for now, have still got their head just above water. The Sky Blues got the job done via first half goals from Ephron Mason-Clark and Jack Rudoni, who scored a Goal of the Season contender, to strengthen their title charge.
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It means Wednesday, as unlikely as it is, can still mathematically climb out of the bottom three and survive.
To do so, however, they must win all 14 of their remaining Championship fixtures this season. The maximum points tally Henrik Pedersen's side can accumulate is 35 and West Brom are currently on 34.
Meanwhile, fellow strugglers Leicester City were denied a victory in Gary Rowett’s first game in charge on Saturday lunchtime, drawing 2-2 with Stoke City, meaning they now have 33 points to their name. A win for Leicester would have meant the Owls still could have caught them with 14 wins from their last 14 games, meaning their trip to the bet365 Stadium had no bearing on Wednesday’s situation this weekend.
Owls facing relegation at Bramall Lane
Winless in their last 26 league games, the odds are stacked against Wednesday heading into the derby at Bramall Lane, meaning there is a growing feeling they will be officially relegated at the hands of their arch rivals.
The Owls have won just once on the road since last March, beating Portsmouth 2-0 at Fratton Park in September to record their only Championship win this season, meaning they are not expected to go to Bramall Lane and get the better of Chris Wilder's side, who are unbeaten in each of their last seven Steel City derbies.
Having entered administration back in October and subsequently having 12 points deducted, plus another six in December, meaning 18 have been shaved off their overall tally, relegation has been on the cards for months.
However, the prospect of officially having it rubber-stamped against the Blades is likely to make the whole scenario feel even worse for many Wednesdayites.