Sheffield Wednesday welcome Birmingham City to Hillsborough in what promises to be a crucial game at the bottom of the Championship

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Both of these sides come into this game in the relegation zone after defeats in midweek and in need of three huge points to boost their survival hopes.

The hosts were having to settle for a relegation scrap this season after they awarded a 12 point deduction which was later reduced to six after an appeal.

Birmingham City appointed Aitor Karanka at the start of the season having previously guided Middleborough to the Premier League in 2016. However, the Birmingham manager is now fighting to save his job, as they have won once in their last 13 Championship games, with nine of those matches ending in defeat.

The recent loss came away to Millwall in midweek which put even more pressure on the Blues. They conceded inside the first four minutes when Jed Wallace gave the hosts an early lead before Ben Thompson sealed all three points to deepen the sides relegation fears.

Substitute Jonathan Leko had the ball in the back of the net for the visitors late on but it was ruled out for offside. Defeat for the Blues means they remain second from bottom in the Championship table, a point from safety.

The hosts fell to a 1-0 defeat at the Bet365 Stadium against Stoke City. A late strike by ex-Owls man Steven Fletcher gave the Potters the victory. It was Sheffield Wednesday’s third league loss in eight games under caretaker boss Neil Thompson, which kept them in the relegation zone

The Yorkshire side have been in superb form on home soil winning their last five fixtures and having kept three consecutive clean sheets which could be crucial in their fight for their relegation battle, however, their away form has not been as consistent, with only one win in their last five games this season.

Aitor Karanka’s side head to Hillsborough in terrible form not picking up a win in their last five games. The last win came against his former side Middlesbrough in January.

The Blues have failed to score in eight of their last 11 matches and are now without Sam Cosgrove who suffered an ankle injury. Scott Hogan and Lucas Jutkiewicz, who have seven goals between them this season, look to stop that run.

Both teams are locked together on 28 points. A win for either side could move them out of the relegation zone depending on how other results in the Championship go.

Last time out

In the reverse fixture, a second-half penalty from Barry Bannan gave the Owls a 1-0 away win to end Birmingham’s unbeaten start.

Sheffield Wednesday have not lost against the Blues in their last four games played. Winning one and drawing three times with the last defeat against the West Midlands side coming back in October 2018.

Team news

Neil Thompson’s side will be without Andre Green and Massimo Luongo at the weekend. Josh Windass and Elias Kachunga could be recalled back into the side

Defensive trio Moses Odubajo, Dominic Iorfa and Joost Van Aken are all unavailable.

As for Birmingham, Jonathan Leko and Ivan Sanchez will look to be back in the side after being named as substitutes in midweek.

Captain Harley Deen who has missed the last couple of days will not be available having not participated in training on Thursday.

Southampton loanee Yan Valery could return to the team to add more attacking depth into the squad.

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