Sheffield Wednesday v Crystal Palace Preview

Posted on | February 20, 2009 | No Comments

Recent form for both of these sides hasn’t been too great although with both being right next to each other in mid-table positions, there doesn’t seem much chance of either being pulled into a relegation scrap. Similarly, there’s little hope of promotion though, with Wednesday sat in 13^th while Palace occupy the next place in 12^th.

Sheffield Wednesday may have had a fantastic season by their own accounts, yet recent form really hasn’t been too good. The Owls have won just twice in the last twelve and even though their results early on in the season have probably secured their future in this division for another season, it’s still not good on their own supporters. Their last two fixtures have been South Yorkshire derbies and while Brian Laws has gone on record to say how important these are to him, the Owls have lost both as Doncaster and Barnsley have taken all the points in recent weeks. However, while the last couple of months haven’t been the best on the field, it’s clear that Wednesday are making progress and with a new chairman now at the helm, Owls fans should feel optimistic knowing they only need three or four wins to secure their divisional status.

Crystal Palace on the other hand will be disappointed with this campaign. Neil Warnock worked miracles by getting them to the play offs last season yet it doesn’t look as though they are going to build on that feat, with the Eagles now in 12^th position and eight points off the top six. This poor position is largely due to recent results, with Warnock’s men losing five games on the bounce before they faced Plymouth on Tuesday night. They ended their run with a 3-1 win there, yet it looks as though the damage is done and it really will take some special months if the Selhurst Park outfit are going to replicate last season’s finish.

Brian Laws was furious with his side’s display against Barnsley midweek and he could ring the changes as the Owls come into this one. Lewis Buxton definitely won’t be playing as he’s suspended, but the injury situation is easing now and Mark Beevers could be fit and go straight into the starting eleven. As for Crystal Palace, Neil Warnock is tipped to hand a start to Nick Carle who missed the last game through suspension. However, a late fitness test is penciled in for Paul Ifill who picked up a hamstring injury against Plymouth.

As for a prediction, we’re going to go with the draw. Now Crystal Palace have got that bad run out of their system we expect them to return to their usual, hard to beat self. Both sides aren’t renowned for scoring a lot of goals and with that, we’ll go for a goalless draw here.

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