Preview: Sheffield Wednesday vs. Accrington Stanley - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, who are currently in the relegation zone, boosted their survival hopes with a commanding 3-0 win over Port Vale in their most recent outing.

Match preview

After 34 games, Sheffield Wednesday looked to be cruising towards promotion as they sat top of the League One table, boasting a five-point cushion over third place.

However, a measly return of four points from their last six matches has resulted in the Owls dropping down to third position due to a poorer goal difference compared to second-placed Ipswich Town.

The Owls opened the scoring in Friday's away meeting with Oxford United through Barry Bannan, but a second-half penalty from Cameron Brannagan ensured that the contest ended in a 1-1 draw.

Although just two points cover the top three sides, Sheffield Wednesday are at a slight disadvantage as they have played one game more than both Ipswich and Plymouth Argyle.

Despite drawing their last two matches at Hillsborough, Darren Moore's side are unbeaten in 16 home league matches (W11, D5), which will offer a source of inspiration ahead of Monday's contest.

After picking up one point in six matches, Accrington returned to winning ways with a comfortable home win against Port Vale on Friday.

Accrington took a two-goal lead into half time thanks to a Jack Stevens own goal and a Harvey Rodgers strike, before Aaron Pressley dispatched his 68th-minute penalty to round off a crucial 3-0 victory.

With one point separating them from safety, Accrington know that they will need a few more wins in their final seven fixtures if they are to prolong their five-season stay in the third tier.

John Coleman's side are winless in nine away league games, and they will have to produce a special performance to claim their first away league victory since November against a Sheffield Wednesday side that have the joint second-best home record in the division.

As a result, picking up a point may be a more realistic objective, and they can take confidence from the fact that they played out a 1-1 draw in their away meeting with Sheffield Wednesday last season.

Sheffield Wednesday League One form:

D

L

L

D

D

D

Accrington Stanley League One form:

D

L

L

L

L

W

Team News

Sheffield Wednesday are still unable to call upon George Byers, Jack Hunt and Josh Windass, who all miss out through injury.

Michael Ihiekwe and Callum Paterson have stepped up their respective recoveries from injury issues, but the pair are unlikely to be involved on Monday.

Moore has also revealed that Michael Smith is a doubt after missing Friday's draw with Oxford due to a thigh strain.

As for the visitors, Doug Tharme and Mo Sangare returned from suspension and international duty respectively to start Friday's victory over Port Vale.

The pair are set to retain their places in a back three alongside Rodgers, with Coleman expected to name an unchanged lineup.

Pressley scored his fourth league goal of the season on Friday, and he will look to add to his tally in Monday's encounter.

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:

Stockdale; Flint, Famewo, James; Palmer, Adeniran, Vaulks, Bannan, Johnson; Wilks, Gregory

Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:

Jensen; Rodgers, Tharme, Sangare; Clark, Hamilton, Coyle, McConville; Butler-Oyedeji; Whalley, Pressley

We say: Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Accrington Stanley

Sheffield Wednesday's promotion bid has stuttered in recent weeks, but they are still a formidable force on home turf, having lost just one of their 20 league matches at Hillsborough this season, and we think that they will continue that run against an Accrington side that are winless in nine away league games.

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