Sheffield Wednesday v Blackburn Rovers: survival fight meets mid-table push | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday host Blackburn Rovers in the Championship on Monday night at Hillsborough, with the bottom club chasing a lift and the visitors aiming to build on a steadier run.

Sheffield Wednesday's recent meetings with Blackburn Rovers have been tight. The most recent clash finished 2-2, while Blackburn Rovers won 1-0 on their last visit to Hillsborough.

Form points to a scrap. The Owls are winless in five league games, with three defeats and two draws in that spell. Blackburn Rovers have picked up one win in their last five but arrive off a clean sheet on Boxing Day.

Injuries could shape selection. The Owls' list includes Nathan Redmond, Nathaniel Chalobah, Max Lowe, Di'Shon Bernard and forwards Iké Ugbo, Olaf Kobacki and Charlie McNeill among several absentees. Blackburn Rovers are without Adam Forshaw, Scott Wharton, Hayden Carter, Sidnei Tavares, Andri Gudjohnsen, Ryoya Morishita, Augustus Kargbo and Kristi Montgomery.

The match-up may hinge on security at the back and width. The Owls have conceded 45 league goals with only two clean sheets, so tightening their defence is essential. Blackburn Rovers, with six clean sheets and strong wide output – 342 open-play crosses at 20.47% accuracy and 500 aerial duels won – could look to flood deliveries from the flanks. Given The Owls' 18 goals this season, set pieces and crossing (22.13% accuracy) may be a route to force chances.

In the table picture, The Owls are 24th on minus eight points. A win would move them to minus five and could cut the survival deficit. Blackburn Rovers sit 18th on 26 points. Victory would take them to 29 and could nudge them up the standings and further from the relegation fight.