Henrik Pedersen could make at least two changes to his Sheffield Wednesday starting XI vs QPR
Sheffield Wednesday will be targeting their first win of 2026 when they face QPR at Loftus Road on Sunday lunchtime.
Sheffield Wednesday will be going in search of a first Championship victory since September when they face QPR at Loftus Road on Sunday lunchtime.
The Owls, who are unbeaten in each of their last five meetings with the Londoners, winning three, made a disappointing start to 2026 on New Year’s Day, losing 3-0 to Preston North End at Deepdale.
Playing for a third time in seven days, Wednesday struggled to keep up with the pace set by the Lancashire outfit, struggling to offer a reaction after finding themselves 1-0 down after 28 minutes. It means a fourth outing in ten days this lunchtime promises to be another mammoth task for a depleted squad.
MORE: Where Sheffield Wednesday stand with Harry Amass transfer hopes as Manchester United talks continue
Ahead of the Owls’ clash with the Rs in the capital, here are five pre-match talking points:
How many changes?
After Liam Cooper was forced off against Preston on Thursday afternoon, a minimum of one change to Wednesday’s starting line-up this lunchtime is guaranteed. The experienced defender was taken off just before the break and manager Henrik Pedersen, speaking to The Star after the game, confirmed his groin injury is “not good”, suggesting he is set for a stint on the sidelines.
With the former Leeds United man going to miss out, Cole McGhee is expected to come back into the team and take his place. The 19-year-old did a solid job on his league debut for the Owls against Blackburn Rovers last Monday evening.
Elsewhere, Sean Fusire and Jamal Lowe, both of whom came off the bench at Deepdale, may enter Pedersen’s thoughts when he comes to choosing his starting XI. Fusire came off the bench just before half-time, replacing Cooper, after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON], while Lowe came on during the second half after experiencing tiredness following the draw with Blackburn.
Senior players are, of course, in short supply, meaning changes are once again likely to be at a premium. Youngsters such as Reece Johnson and Rio Shipston will be among those pushing for starts.
Farewell, Harry?
Today’s trip to QPR could mark Amass’ last outing in Wednesday colours, as his loan spell from Manchester United is scheduled to come to an end following the conclusion of this lunchtime’s encounter.
The 18-year-old, who joined the Owls on loan from the Reds back in September, has started every Championship game since moving to Hillsborough, establishing himself as a firm fans’ favourite. He has made 20 appearances and his development during that time has been impressive to say the least.
Following the defeat at Preston, Pedersen confirmed he is hopeful an agreement will be reached for Amass to stay at Hillsborough until the end of the season. Wednesday will be hoping United take the viewpoint that the left-sided defender is playing week-in, week-out, earning valuable experience.
However, if today’s game is to mark his farewell appearance for the Owls, it is fair to say he will be remembered very fondly by Wednesdayites.
QPR’s home form
Although QPR were beaten 2-1 by Norwich City at Loftus Road on New Year’s Day, their home form, generally speaking, has been good of late, so much so they went into the clash with the Canaries targeting a fifth home win on the bounce.
After starting November with back-to-back home defeats to Ipswich Town (1-4) and Southampton (1-2), the Rs put a run of four straight home wins together prior to Christmas, beating Hull City (3-2), West Bromwich Albion (3-1), Birmingham City (2-1) and Leicester City (4-1), meaning they boosted their play-off aspirations.
Experiencing what they will hope was nothing more than an off-day on their own patch against Norwich, the Londoners will be keen to get back on track against the Owls and halt their three-game winless run. They drew 1-1 away at Portsmouth before being beaten 2-1 by West Brom in the two games sandwiched between Christmas and New Year.
They have won six league games on home soil so far this term, meaning they are only one victory short of equalling last season’s tally of home wins.
Wednesday targeting Loftus Road history
The Owls have enjoyed each of their last two visits to Loftus Road, winning each of their last two trips to this particular corner of London 2-0. They recorded a priceless victory in April 2024, getting the job done via goals from Djeidi Gassama and Anthony Musaba to bolster their survival hopes, before beating the Rs again in January last year, thanks to goals from Michael Smith and Callum Paterson.
Interestingly, Wednesday have never won three successive away league games against QPR, meaning they have an opportunity to write a little bit of history this lunchtime.
Owls need to find their shooting boots
If Wednesday are to secure a third successive victory at Loftus Road, they are going to have to find their shooting boots. After scoring two goals in a game for only the fourth time this season against Hull City on Boxing Day, the Owls have fired blanks in each of their last two.
It means they are now in danger of going three Championship games without a goal for the first time this season. Only five clubs have reached that unwanted milestone so far this season, with Sheffield United going as many as five consecutive games without scoring earlier this season.
Wednesday last went as many as three successive league games without scoring in August 2024, firing blanks in defeats to Sunderland (0-4), Leeds United (0-2) and Millwall (0-3).