Sheffield Wednesday return to Championship action with a home game against Cardiff City later in November.
Sheffield Wednesday return to Hillsborough following the November international break, where they welcome early relegation contenders Cardiff City.
Danny Rohl’s side went into this month’s break on the back of a 1-0 defeat in the Steel City derby against Sheffield United, though the game boasted a lot of positives for the Owls.
As things stand, Sheffield Wednesday sit in 15th place of the Championship table compared to last place at this time last year.
And at this time last year, Rohl’s side had just one win on the board and only six points, compared to five Championship wins already this season, and 18 points.
Cardiff sit in 22nd right now. But the Bluebirds are only three points behind the Owls and before back-to-back defeats leading into this month’s break, Cardiff were six unbeaten, winning three.
Sheffield Wednesday early team news vs Cardiff City, Nathaniel Chalobah update
For the game against Cardiff City, the Owls could be without up to four first-team players in Nathaniel Chalobah, Akin Famewo, Olaf Kobacki, and possibly Michael Ihiekwe.
Ihiekwe has an Achilles injury which has been keeping him out of late, though he seems close to a return. Kobacki and Famewo are longer-term injuries, but Chalobah is well on the comeback trail.
Rohl recently gave an injury update on Chalobah at Sheffield Wednesday, suggesting that he could return after the November international break, but likely not featuring against Cardiff.
Rohl said: “Hopefully he is back maybe after the [November] international break, the Wednesday or Thursday. That would be good.”
Early Sheffield Wednesday predicted XI vs Cardiff City, Svante Ingelsson starts
Swedish summer signing Svante Ingelsson has started the last two for Sheffield Wednesday, playing in what is a left attacking midfield role.
It’s not his usual position, nor the role role that Rohl said he’d play going into this season. But with the big 26-year-old in the side, Sheffield Wednesday do look better.
The main change for Rohl to consider ahead of Cardiff might be dropping Ike Ugbo. Rohl defended Ugbo after Sheffield Wednesday’s defeat against United last time out, but once again the Canadian failed to make an impact.
Michael Smith could be the best bet to lead the line with Josh Windass in behind alongside Ingelsson.
Elsewhere, we should see an unchanged defence with Max Lowe continuing to impress at left centre-back.
Here’s how we think Sheffield Wednesday will line up against Cardiff City later this month…
Beadle (GK)
Johnson
M. Lowe
Bernard
Iorfa
Valery
Bannan
Charles
Ingelsson
Windass
Smith