Sheffield Wednesday News caught up with Preston North End expert Olly Dawes ahead of Saturday’s game at Hillsborough.
Sheffield Wednesday host Preston North End on Saturday, as Danny Rohl’s in form Owls look for a third-straight win in the Championship.
The last time Wednesday won three games in a row was the last three games of last season, with Sheffield Wednesday beating Sunderland on the final day to secure their Championship safety.
This season has been rocky at times for Wednesday. But they’re finding form right now, after Sheffield Wednesday came from behind to beat Derby County in their last outing, and to leave themselves in 12th place of the Championship table.
Meanwhile, Paul Heckingbottom’s Preston are winless in eight and lingering in 18th place of the table ahead of this one.
Last time these two teams met, Wednesday won 1-0 in what was their final game of 2023.
Ahead of Saturday’s game, Sheffield Wednesday News spoke to Preston North End expert Olly Dawes, who writes for Deepdale Digest, to get the lowdown on Saturday’s opponents.
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How do Preston fans feel about their chances against Sheffield Wednesday?
With Wednesday in form and Preston not so much, Rohl’s men will certainly be tipped as the favourites on Saturday lunchtime.
Asked how Preston fans feel ahead of their trip to Hillsborough, Dawes explained: “The week has been overshadowed by some off-field bickering between Preston fan groups and the club’s hierarchy, which is pretty much the last thing we need.
“North End haven’t won away this season and with no victory since October 19th, we really need points soon with the bottom three only just over our shoulder.”
Could defeat for Preston at Sheffield Wednesday pile pressure on Paul Heckingbottom?
Last weekend, Wednesday won away at Hull City. It was a routine 2-0 win for the Owls and the defeat saw Hull City sack Tim Walter soon after the game.
But despite Preston’s poor league position and form, defeat on Saturday may not see former Blades boss Heckingbottom come under any added pressure.
Dawes told Sheffield Wednesday News: “Most fans are pretty understanding that Heckingbottom has inherited a bad situation – a poor squad which has shown a concerning tendency to fold under pressure this season.
“No win in eight obviously isn’t good enough but few are truly blaming Heckingbottom at this stage and defeat on Saturday wouldn’t particularly push him close to the edge, even if relegation fears would only rise.”
What are Preston’s biggest strengths and weaknesses?
Last time out, Preston held top six hopefuls West Brom to a goalless draw. In fact the Lilywhites have drawn their last three and so they’ll fancy their chances of at least frustrating Wednesday on Saturday, if not of taking something from the game.
Explaining the club’s biggest weakness, and strength, Dawes said: “A complete lack of pace across the pitch has become a glaring concern and has been exploited by a number of Championship teams this season.
“We don’t really score many goals either and some of the capitulations on the road at Oxford United, Millwall, Plymouth Argyle and Portsmouth – teams we really need to pick up points against – have been worrying.
“A positive would be that whilst North End have been poor of late, we haven’t actually lost that many games. It’s only four defeats in 16 Championship games under Heckingbottom having lost two in two before his arrival, so we can frustrate teams at times.”
One Preston player who could really hurt Sheffield Wednesday
Rohl will no doubt have a few dangerous Preston players within his notes for Saturday, one perhaps being Sam Greenwood.
The attacker, who’s on loan from Leeds United, has scored four and assisted two more in 15 Championship outings this season, and is something of a dead ball expert too, which could come in handy against an Owls side poor at defending set-pieces.
Dawes said of Greenwood: “Sam Greenwood is our main man at the moment with four goals and two assists in his last nine Championship games.
“The Leeds loanee has become our real spark in the final third and will be relied upon heavily this weekend with the likes of Emil Riis, Mads Frokjaer and Milutin Osmajic still blowing hot and cold this season.”
Sheffield Wednesday against Preston kicks off at 12:30pm on Saturday. For details on how to watch the game, click here.