Sheffield Wednesday head to Millwall on Saturday for what’s become a crunch match at the foot of the Championship table.
Many expected Sheffield Wednesday to struggle in the Championship this season, but few would’ve predicted that Millwall would find themselves in 21st after the opening 32 games of the season.
The Lions spent well last summer but started slowly, then changing managers with Gary Rowett leaving and former England U20s boss Joe Edwards coming in.
But after 18 games, the 37-year-old has won just four, with a 4-0 defeat at home to Ipswich Town last night leaving the Lions just four points ahead of QPR in 22nd, and seven points ahead of the Owls in 23rd.
Sheffield Wednesday go into this weekend on the back of a 2-0 defeat at Leicester City in midweek, and a 2-0 win against Birmingham City at Hillsborough the weekend before.
Danny Rohl hoping to end nine-year winless run at The Den
Sheffield Wednesday head down to Millwall’s icon stadium The Den on Saturday.
The last time Wednesday were there they lost 4-1 in a Championship clash during the 2020/21 season, and when the two teams next met earlier in this current campaign, Millwall won 4-0 at Hillsborough.
So Danny Rohl will certainly be hoping to avoid another heavy defeat against the Lions, and he’ll also be searching for Sheffield Wednesday’s first win against Millwall since 2018; a 2-1 win at home during the 2018/19 Championship campaign with goals from Barry Bannan and Tom Lees.
Rohl also has the chance to secure Sheffield Wednesday’s first win at The Den since 2015.
Almost nine years ago to the day, Sheffield Wednesday netted three second half goals through Lewis McGugan, Atdhe Nuhiu, and Stevie May to pick up a 3-1 win, and it was a win that left Sheffield Wednesday in 11th place of the Championship table.
Another cup final for Sheffield Wednesday
With Huddersfield Town winning against Sunderland last night, reopening Sheffield Wednesday’s gap to safety to seven points, the Owls are once again faced with another cup final.
Millwall have lost their last three and haven’t won in any of their last seven in all competitions, losing six, so they could be there for the taking, but given their league predicament they too will view this fixture as an absolute must-win.
The clock is ticking for both teams and at the end of the campaign, we may well look back at this game as one that really had an influence on the final league table for both Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall.
History doesn’t bode well for the Owls going to The Den. But with Rohl in charge and fans in full voice as always, Sheffield Wednesday have a definite chance.