This Week's Opposition: Sheffield Wednesday

Express FM's Kirsty Roxanne delivers insight on Portsmouth's next Championship opponent.

A devastating 2-0 defeat at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night leaves the Blues struggling in 24th - Rock bottom of the Championship.

With the 3rd game in the space of 6 days just around the corner, John Mousinho’s side finally head back down South to PO4 to take on our next opponents, Sheffield Wednesday.

MANAGER

35-year-old Danny Röhl is at the helm for The Owls.

During his playing career, Röhl played as a defender for clubs including FSV Zwickau, FC Sachsen Leipzig II and FC Eilenburg in the German lower leagues.

Röhl began his coaching at RB Leipzig and he has also held assistant manager positions with Bayern Munich, Southampton and the German national team.

In October 2023, he was appointed as manager of Sheffield Wednesday, becoming the youngest manager in the English Football League.

Last season, the German guided Wednesday to safety in the Championship, overseeing 4 wins and 2 draws in the last 6 games to secure second tier survival.

The Owls ended 2023/24 in 20th place following an incredible great escape and since then, Röhl has put pen-to-paper and signed a new contract at Hillsborough.

ONE TO WATCH

Our one to watch is a very familiar face, Jamal Lowe.

After spells at lower league sides, he made the move to Portsmouth in October 2016 and was part of the squad that helped the Blues to win promotion to League One, scoring twice in the 3-1 victory at Notts County which to secure it and also 1 goal in the 6-1 rout of Cheltenham Town on the final day, which saw Pompey claim the League Two title.

Lowe also scored a magnificent chip at Wembley in the 2-2 draw with Sunderland during the 2019 Checkatrade Trophy Final, which Kenny Jackett’s side won on penalties.

Since leaving Portsmouth, the Jamaican international has represented Wigan Athletic, Swansea City, AFC Bournemouth and enjoyed a loan spell at Queens Park Rangers.

Wednesday confirmed that Lowe would sign for the club this summer and he made his debut against Plymouth Argyle on the opening day, scoring the first goal in their 4-0 victory.

Lowe wears the number 9 shirt.

TOP SCORER

The Owls have had 8 different goalscorers since the start of the campaign, accumulating a total of 10 goals and 1 own goal.

The 2 joint-top goalscorers with 2 goals each are Barry Bannan and Josh Windass.

Midfielder Bannan signed for Wednesday in 2015 and made his 400th appearance for the club in a 3-1 win against Blackburn Rovers in April.

The number 10 was awarded the club's Player of the Month and nominated for the Championship Player of the Month for September after contributing 2 goals against QPR and Luton Town, before notching a vital assist at home to West Bromwich Albion, which was his 100th goal contribution in a Wednesday shirt.

That goal against QPR was also nominated for the Championship Goal of the Month award.

Attacking midfielder Windass first joined Wednesday on loan for the second half of the 2019/20 season but he made that move permanent in September 2020.

Windass scored the only goal in the last minute of the League One Play-Off Final against Barnsley to gain promotion to the Championship last year.

The number 11 has recently signed a contract extension for the club.

CURRENT FORM

Röhl’s side started the campaign with a 4-0 win over Plymouth at Hillsborough but were then defeated in 3 consecutive matches after that.

Their recent game at home to Swansea on Tuesday night ended in a goalless draw.

The Owls are currently sitting in 17th with 12 points - 7 places and 4 points ahead of the Blues, who sit in 24th.

The last 4 games between these sides back in League One produced 2 Wednesday wins and 2 stalemates.

Portsmouth haven’t beaten The Owls in the last 5 attempts and last tasted victory in this fixture on the 23rd of November, 2002 - That a 3-1 win at Hillsborough during the promotion-winning campaign to the Premier League.

Can the Blues put Tuesday night behind them and secure their first win of the season at Fratton Park?

Tune in for full coverage of Portsmouth vs Sheffield Wednesday here on Express FM when Pompey Live returns this Friday (October 25th) evening from 7pm.

Kick-off: 8pm!