Sheffield Wednesday will be looking to upturn their fortunes against Blackpool.
In the Championship, things are going far from perfectly for Danny Rohl’s side at the moment, with them scoring just one goal since the opening day emphatic victory against Plymouth Argyle.
They were on course to turn around their form against QPR after Barry Bannan scored a brilliant volley outside the box in the 93rd minute, however the away side responded against the odds with a scrappy goal following a goalmouth scramble at Hillsborough.
The silver lining to Sheffield Wednesday’s poor 2024/25 season so far is the success they have had up until this point in the EFL Cup, with them set for a third round tie away against former Owls boss Steve Bruce and Blackpool.
German boss Rohl has tinkered with his side on many occasions this season, especially for the cup ties, and following yet another disappointing day at the office for his side against QPR, it will yet again be expected that widespread changes will be made.
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Sheffield Wednesday team news ahead of Blackpool
Like the game against QPR, there are still several injury doubts within the squas that will be unlikely to be rushed back for cup action, with centre-backs Di’Shon Bernard, Michael Ihiekwe, and Dominic Iorfa all far from certain to feature.
It is also likely that National Chalobah will still be sidelined for the cup tie, and veteran goalkeeper Ben Hamer is also in the midst of a spell on the sidelines.
Luckily for Rohl, there were no injuries sustained in the draw with QPR, however that won’t stop him from making several changes to his side.
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Sheffield Wednesday predicted XI vs Blackpool
It is expected that Pierce Charles gets another opportunity for Rohl’s side in-between the sticks, as he has done in previous rounds. He is coming off the back of a brilliant international break as goalkeeper for Northern Ireland, where he kept a clean sheet against England.
As for the defensive, the lack of centre-backs that will be available to Rohl suggests that Liam Palmer will once again be utilised at the back alongside Akin Famewo.
Max Lowe has been more involved in league games up to this point, but after being dropped by Marvin Johnson at the weekend, who performed well at wing-back, it is likely that Lowe will be handed game time in the cup alongside Pol Valentin on the other side.
As for the midfield, it is likely that Sean Fusire will be handed another opportunity in the first team after he was permanently promoted to join up with the side in training, with Bannan dropping out to be rested.
Another key Sheffield Wednesday player that will likely be dropped by Rohl is Ike Ugbo after a poor start to life as an Owls player permanently, with Michael Smith being the most likely candidate to lead the line.
Here is how we think Sheffield Wednesday will line up against Blackpool…
Charles (GK)
Valentin
Famewo
Palmer
M. Lowe
Ingelsson
Fusire
Paterson
Musaba
Gassama
Smith