Predicted 3-5-2 Sheffield Wednesday XI to face Bolton Wanderers
Sheffield Wednesday will welcome fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers to the Hillsborough on Tuesday in the 19th round of fixtures of the 2018/19 EFL Championship.
The Owls are languishing 18th in the standings, having accumulated just 20 points from 18 matches so far. They are without a win in their previous six outings and were beaten 2-1 by Derby County at home over the weekend.
Manager Jos Luhukay finds himself under pressure to get things back on track as soon as possible and a win against Bolton would do a world of good for him and Wednesday.
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Steven Fletcher was given a rest in the weekend’s game after he returned late from international duty but is expected to be available for selection for Tuesday’s game. Sam Winnall and Gary Hooper remain sidelined for the Owls, however, along with Kieran Lee.
Here’s how Luhukay might set his team out for the crunch tie against Bolton at home;
Manager: Jos Luhukay
Formation: 3-5-2
Cameron Dawson (GK)
The 23-year-old has managed to keep just one clean sheet in 18 matches in the Championship this season and will want to improve on that on Tuesday night.
Tom Lees (CB)
The Owls’ captain has missed a single game in the Championship this season and should start as part of a three-man backline against Bolton.
Michael Hector (CB)
The on-loan Chelsea defender has started all but one of Sheffield Wednesday’s previous ten league games. Another start beckons him on Tuesday.
Jordan Thorniley (CB)
The 22-year-old was a surprise exclusion for the weekend defeat against Derby County. Should come back into the team to complete the three-man defence.
Ash Baker (RWB)
The Welshman has been preferred on the right-side ahead of Liam Palmer by Luhukay in the past couple of games and that is unlikely to change when Bolton come visiting.
Barry Bannan (CM)
The 28-year-old midfielder has scored twice and set up two more in 17 appearances in the Championship this term. A definite starter in the centre of the park.
Joey Pelupessy (CM)
The defensive midfielder hasn’t been at his best in recent times and needs to step it up a notch when he takes the field against Bolton in the midweek game.
Josh Onomah (CM)
The on-loan Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has fared decently each time he has been afforded a chance. Should be given the nod on Tuesday night to provide the forward thrust and creativity.
Matt Penney (LWB)
The 20-year-old was overlooked in favour of Morgan Fox for the defeat against Derby. Should be brought back into the team as the left wing-back.
Adam Reach (ST)
The versatile Englishman was on the scoresheet against Derby over the weekend. Was used in an advanced role in the draw against Sheffield United prior to the international break and could be asked to essay that role on Tuesday again.
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Steven Fletcher (ST)
The veteran forward was rested for the weekend fixture but is in line to feature from the get-go against Bolton, with Lucas Joao expected to make way.
