Peterborough boss makes Sheffield Wednesday prediction and shares memories of historic play-off comeback
Peterborough United boss Luke Williams is expecting a stern test when Sheffield Wednesday visit the Weston Homes Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.
Peterborough United manager Luke Williams has said Sheffield Wednesday should be among the favourites to win promotion from League One this season ahead of Saturday’s meeting at the Weston Homes Stadium.
The Owls will make the trip to Cambridgeshire with ambitions of securing a third straight win for the first time since winning their final three matches of the 2023/24 campaign.
Wednesday came from behind to beat Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 at Adams Park on Tuesday evening, sealing all three points with goals from Louie Barry, who now faces up to three months on the sidelines with an ankle injury, and Jamal Lowe. The result means they head into the lunchtime clash with Posh sitting second in the table.
Following Arise Capital Partners’ takeover of the club on September 1, Wednesday enjoyed a transformative summer transfer window, bringing in 18 players, with Davis Keillor-Dunn completing their recruitment drive on Thursday. He has joined the Owls on loan from Wrexham until January.
With their squad rebuild complete and their early-season form showing encouraging signs, Posh chief Williams is expecting a stern test, describing Henrik Pedersen’s squad as a “very talented group” of players.
As quoted by the Peterborough Telegraph, Williams said: “It’s a real challenge. I've been to Hillsborough a few times and its something special.
“They have some very good players, I have worked with a few of them. They are a very talented group.
"We couldn't be happier because it’s a great game for us and a big club coming to play us. I expect a big crowd so it’s a brilliant fixture for the level.
“They have quality on the pitch, but also a way of evolving their shape when they defend and attack, which is very sophisticated and causes a lot of problems. We expect to face a very well organised team.
“I should think they will be one of the favourites for promotion. We will be doing our very best to make sure we first give our fans something to cheer and quieten the travelling fans and then that we are in the game and looking like we are there to win and attack. It’s easier said than done, but that will be the intention.”
This weekend’s trip to the Weston Homes Stadium will be Wednesday’s first since they were beaten 4-0 by Peterborough in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final in May 2023. The Owls’ promotion dream had seemingly been shattered by 10pm that evening, before former boss Darren Moore oversaw a historic turnaround in the second leg at Hillsborough just under a week later.
“We don't have anyone still involved from that day so for that reason, it won’t have so much as an impact,” Williams added, insisting the Owls’ famous comeback will have no bearing on this weekend’s showdown.
“It was incredible, I was away with my staff in Palma and it was as if I went away and when I came back there had been four goals. It was bizarre and crazy.
“I am sure that would have some effect on anyone that was involved in that, but for this group, they are protected by the fact they have no knowledge of it.”