Sheffield Wednesday travel to Portman Road this weekend to take on an Ipswich Town side firmly in the promotion picture.
It has been a turbulent period for the Owls. The club has entered administration following the end of Dejphon Chansiri’s ownership, and their points deduction has left them staring at an almost certain return to League One. After 20 Championship matches, Wednesday sit on minus nine points and have managed just one league victory all season.
Results on the pitch have only added to the gloom. Pressure is building on head coach Henrik Pedersen, although the search for new ownership is currently the overriding concern. Monday night’s 3-0 defeat at Derby County marked a fourth loss in five games, with their only positive moment in that spell coming at Watford, where Vivaldo Semedo scored a last-gasp equaliser to rescue a point.
Ipswich, by contrast, remain one of the leading contenders in the race for promotion. The Tractor Boys are fifth in the table and still harbour hopes of securing an automatic spot. Recent weeks have brought impressive wins over Coventry City and Stoke City, although momentum was checked by a 3-1 defeat away to Leicester City, where Abdul Fatawu produced a spectacular long-range strike.
Ahead of the clash, our writers have shared their predictions.
Charlie Hodgson
“Sheffield Wednesday go into most games as heavy underdogs and this one is no different. Their squad has been stretched even further with players away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
“Ipswich will view this as a perfect opportunity to respond after a disappointing showing at the weekend. To keep their promotion push alive, they need to raise their standards again.
“I expect a comfortable afternoon for the hosts. Ipswich should have far too much quality and this could turn into a long day for Wednesday.”
Prediction: Ipswich Town 4-0 Sheffield Wednesday
James Ray
“Wednesday will try to compete, but the situation around the club seems to be taking its toll. There is very little depth available and it becomes increasingly hard to keep fighting under those circumstances.
“Ipswich will be aware of what the visitors are dealing with, but sympathy will not play a part once the match starts. If they perform to their usual level, they could overwhelm Wednesday.
“I can see Ipswich running out convincing winners.”
Prediction: Ipswich Town 4-0 Sheffield Wednesday