These are Sheffield Wednesday's last nine games of the season - and how they might get on

June 20 has been picked out by the EFL as the new working date with the Premier League set to kick off three days earlier. Clubs are to expect a whirlwind few weeks, with nine matches plus playoffs to be crammed in the end of July.

But who’s on the fixture list and how can Wednesday supporters expect the Owls to get on this season? We take a look at the challenges ahead.

Nottingham Forest – home

A fearsome first-half going forward saw Wednesday roll into half-time 4-0 up at the City Ground in the Christmas run-in that saw them rise to third place. Jordan Rhodes scored a ‘perfect’ hat-trick and Owls optimism was at its highest as thousands of home fans made their way into the city centre at half-time.

The two sides entered the break though, completely at odds with where they were back then, Forest fifth but wobbling a touch and Wednesday, of course, in freefall.

It will be fascinating to see how much of a ‘reset’ there has been on form and confidence in the Owls’ opening clash.

Bristol City – away

It's no secret that on paper at least Wednesday’s run-in will be a difficult one and it won’t ease up with their clash at Bristol, who sit seventh and will be desperate to qualify for the playoffs after a string of near-misses.

While it’s another reverse fixture that Garry Monk’s side won, this time with a 1-0 Hillsborough victory secured by an 85th-minute Barry Bannan penalty, the Owls will have their work cut out as Lee Johnson’s men aim to sneak into the top six. A fit-and-firing Fletcher would be key, you feel.

West Brom – home

Another fixture, another promotion-chasing opposition for Sheffield Wednesday to deal with. West Brom are second and look set to complete a return to the Premier League alongside Wednesday’s Yorkshire rivals Leeds United.

If Monk’s men can tap into the sort of form and confidence that they showed in a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat at the Hawthorns back in November, though, you never know. On the day, Wednesday’s pace and adventure down both flanks troubled the Baggies and they were perhaps the better side.

Swansea – away

Another tough fixture against a young and ambitious squad aiming for the top six, Swansea have a decent home record.

Much of the quality of their line-up will depend on the availability of their loanees, however. Highly-rated keeper Freddie Woodman is borrowed from Newcastle, Watford utility man Ben Wilmot has been a regular and Wednesday loan target Rhian Brewster started well in Swans colours in the first weeks of his loan from Liverpool, as did Chelsea-owned midfielder Conor Gallagher.

All three parties involved in any deal – host club, parent club and player – must agree to an extension of their loans beyond the end of June.

Preston – home

Another playoff-chasing side, Preston have built their reputation on being hard to beat at home and Wednesday may well fancy their chances at Hillsborough.

The Owls’ own form in 2020 has been poor and evidence from across the continent suggests that empty stadiums offer more of a level playing field. One to target, perhaps.

QPR – away

The only real midtable team Wednesday face at all in the remainder of the season are QPR, with a trip down to the big smoke ahead.

Wednesday won in the FA Cup there in front of a handsome Owls support back in January and have happy memories. Quite whether those carry over in front of an echoing Loftus Road? It’s anyone’s guess.

Huddersfield – home

A Yorkshire derby and the full-circle fixture for Garry Monk – it was his first clash in a Wednesday dugout back in September, he secured a 2-0 win.

The Terriers have just about climbed from relegation danger but have a job to do in the final nine games.

Dare we wonder where any EFL points deduction would leave the Owls, this fixture could be huge.

Fulham – away

The Cottagers will surely welcome Wednesday down to a sunny capital with their playoff place sewn-up – unless a post-break wobble from Leeds or West Brom lets them back into the automatic promotion conversation.

An Atdhe Nuhiu equaliser late on secured Monk’s men a point at Hillsborough earlier in the season. Whatever happens, Scott Parker’s lot are likely to be playing for something and this will be a tricky one.

Middlesbrough – home

All being well, Wednesday shook off the cobwebs better than most and hit the ground running, leaving all the pressure in their final game of the season at the door of visitors Middlesbrough, who looked likely to be drawn further and further into the relegation conversation.

All not being so well, and it could be a tight end to the season.

The clash at the Riverside saw the Owls take a 4-1 win in one of their most dominant performances of the season.

How do you think Wednesday will get on after the season resumes? Tweet us @TheStarOwls

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