The Owls lost their opening Championship game of the season to Leicester City on Sunday, but put up a good fight at the King Power as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to the promotion-chasing Foxes.
And there’s not much time for a turnaround for Henrik Pedersen as he prepares his side for their first Carabao Cup game of 2025/26, so changes are to be expected. Especially with a squad as threadbare as Wednesday’s.
Barry Bannan is suspended, so he won’t feature, and Nathaniel Chalobah’s injury means that he’s out of contention too. Yan Valery was forced off against Leicester so is highly unlikely to take part, and it seems almost guaranteed that Pedersen will make a whole host of changes when they head to the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
With all that in mind, and a hungry group of youngsters waiting in the wings, we’ve had a go at predicting the Dane’s XI to face the Trotters:
9. Charlie McNeill - AMC
McNeill came off the bench in the defeat to Leicester, and will be itching to get his first start of the season. This game feels like a perfect opportunity to do that, and he can play in the role behind the striker. He got a couple of goals in this competition last season. | Getty Images
10. Olaf Kobacki - AML
Despite being only 24, Kobacki could be one of the oldest Wednesday players on the pitch this week. He came on against Leicester in an unfamilar role, but you'd expect to see him further up the pitch this week if he does start. | Steve Ellis
11. Ike Ugbo - ST
Ugbo was left out for Bailey Cadamarteri over the weekend, so it'd be a surprise not to see him feature at the Tough Sheet. He'll be desperate to get back in the goals, and this game could be a big chance to do so. | George Wood/Getty Images Photo: George Wood/Getty Images