Derby v Sheffield Wednesday Preview

Posted on | November 14, 2008 | No Comments

This is another game involving teams sat right beside each other in the table although many will be surprised that it’s actually Sheffield Wednesday who are in the better position. Wednesday are currently sat in 12th on 22 points, while Derby are one place and one point worse off.

While Derby enjoyed some great form a few weeks ago, they haven’t been picking up as many points as they’ve have liked and their play off push has come to a standstill. A heavy defeat to Reading and a disappointing draw against lowly Nottingham Forest has meant that they’ve dropped to a mid-table position, which is far from Paul Jewell’s aim of automatic promotion. While the Rams are only four points from the play offs, it looks as though any chances of automatic promotion are out of the window and that will be something that disappoints the Pride Park faithful following Jewell’s comments at the start of the season. They managed to bounce back from the defeat to Reading with victory over Leeds in the Carling Cup though and with Wednesday being dire away from home this season, they’ll feel as though this is a great opportunity to get their league form back on track.

Wednesday look to be recovering from a dip in form a few weeks ago and Brian Laws will be ecstatic with their mid table position. The Owls are one side that are renowned as strugglers in this league yet this season looks to be a different story. A good draw away to Crystal Palace was followed by a derby victory over Doncaster, easing the fears that they could be dragged a bit too close to the bottom three. With key players now returning from injuries, the next couple of months are vital if Wednesday are to maintain their mid table placing or slump into the position that they’ve made their own for the last few seasons.

Paul Jewell could have a few problems at the back coming into this one with central defenders Dean Leacock and Martin Albrechtsen both out injured. Due to these absentees, it’s thought that Jewell will persist with the partnership of Lewin Nyatanga and Claude Davis at the heart of his defence. Elsewhere, Miles Addison could return to midfield after missing the last game through suspension. As for Sheffield Wednesday, things finally seem to be easing for Brian Laws. The Owls boss has a full squad to pick from with broken leg victim Richard Hinds being the only man out.

Derby may not have won for a few games in the league yet we think they’ve got enough about them to see off Wednesday this weekend. Even though the Owls have had a mini-resurgence of form, they away form is poor and Derby will capitalize – 2-0 Rams.

Related posts:

1. Sheffield Wednesday v Sheffield United Preview
2. Sheffield United v Sheffield Wednesday Preview
3. Barnsley v Sheffield Wednesday Preview
4. Nottingham Forest v Sheffield Wednesday Preview
5. Sheffield Wednesday v Barnsley Preview

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