Preview: Sheffield Wednesday vs. Nottingham Forest - predictions, team news, lineups

Sheffield Wednesday will play host to Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough as the Championship returns this weekend after a three-month hiatus.

Wednesday currently lie 15th in the table on 48 points, whereas Forest will be looking to further their promotion charge as they sit fifth on 60 points.

Match preview

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Sheffield Wednesday's strong early-season form has tapered off in recent months, and the Owls will be looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat as the Championship returns after a three-month break this weekend.

Indeed, Garry Monk 's side suffered a 3-1 loss to Derby County before being subjected to a 5-0 hammering by promotion hopefuls Brentford, and they were also knocked out of the FA Cup by holders Manchester City at the last-16 stage.

A three-month break could therefore have been just what Monk needed to reassess his side's situation, and the Owls do not have much to play for following a set of poor results before the shutdown.

Wednesday currently lie nine points above the drop zone so should not be in any real danger of relegation, but a spot in the promotion playoffs seems wholly unrealistic for Monk's side at this point.

The Owls will be looking for only their second win in 11 games in the Championship, and they have also lost five of their last seven league matches on home soil.

Nevertheless, should other results go their way this weekend, Monk's side could move three places up to 12th with a victory over Forest.

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As far as Nottingham Forest are concerned, Sabri Lamouchi will be hoping for much better from his side when the Championship season returns to action this weekend.

Forest are still five points clear in the playoff places, but the Reds endured an underwhelming spell of form before play was brought to a halt.

Lamouchi's side suffered a 3-0 defeat to Millwall after sharing the spoils in a 2-2 draw with lowly Middlesbrough, but they still have a four-point advantage over sixth-placed Preston North End following their three-match losing streak.

Furthermore, Bristol City's winless run has ensured that Forest remain in a strong position for a spot in the playoffs - a feat they have not achieved since the 2010-11 season.

Something has to give when fellow promotion hopefuls Fulham and Brentford face off earlier in the day, so Forest will be even more determined to come away from Hillsborough with all three points and close the gap on the teams above them.

However, Lamouchi's side suffered a 4-0 drubbing by Wednesday earlier in the campaign - with Jordan Rhodes netting a hat-trick before Steven Fletcher added a fourth before the half-time whistle.

Sheffield Wednesday Championship form: LLDWLL

Sheffield Wednesday form (all competitions): LDWLLL

Nottingham Forest Championship form: LDDWDL

Team News

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Wednesday's players have had plenty of time to recover from any niggling injuries - with the only concern for Monk being on-loan midfielder Josh Windass with a calf problem.

Fernando Forestieri 's deal at Hillsborough is set to expire at the end of the month with no renewal in sight, but the striker is expected to make the starting lineup here nonetheless.

Lamouchi has no serious injuries to contend with after a three-month suspension, with Samba Sow, Nuno da Costa and Tiago Silva all fit again and available for selection.

However, Tendayi Darikwa is unlikely to be involved as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury.

Lewis Grabban will be aiming to continue his push for the top scorer accolade as he leads the line for Lamouchi's side - with the 32-year-old currently sitting on 17 goals for the season.

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:

Dawson; Palmer, Iorfa, Borner, Fox; Murphy, Luongo, Bannan, Reach; Fletcher, Forestieri

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:

Samba; Cash, Worrall, Figueiredo, Ribiero; Watson, Sow; Lolley, Silva, Ameobi; Grabban

We say: Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Nottingham Forest

Wednesday have only been heading in one direction since their 4-0 thrashing of Forest in December, and we are finding it difficult to go against a replenished Forest side desperate to consolidate their hold of a playoff spot.