Match Pack: Saints vs Sheffield Wednesday
Saints turn their attention back to the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday as Sheffield Wednesday head to St Mary's. Get clued up ahead of kick-off with our Match Pack...
THE MATCH
Saints vs Sheffield Wednesday
Sky Bet Championship
St Mary's
Saturday 13th January, 3pm GMT
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: Lewis Smith
Assistants: Blake Antrobus, Robert Hyde
Fourth Official: Robert Madley
HOW TO WATCH?
Due to the 3pm kick-off blackout, video coverage of the game won’t be available to those in the UK and Ireland on Saints Play. But to those watching it internationally, a pass is available at £10.
All fans, whether you’re in the UK, Ireland or abroad, can access our audio coverage.
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
After Emirates FA Cup victory last weekend and extending the feat to 19 games, Saints are on the verge of equalling a club record unbeaten run since joining the football league.
Victory over Wednesday would not only tie that record, but also put Russell Martin’s side level on points with second place Ipswich Town.
Sheffield Wednesday have had a mixed bag of results since former Saint assistant Danny Röhl took the reins but have won the last two in all competitions.
Victory at St Mary’s would see them draw level with 21st place Huddersfield Town, only three points clear of the relegation zone.
TEAM NEWS
For Saints, manager Russell Martin offered a positive update on the fitness of Sam Edozie, James Bree and Kamaldeen Sulemana, but reiterates the wait for a return will be "towards the end of this month."
Kamaldeen has been unavailable since the start of December, with James Bree joining him on the injury list on the 23rd having been taken off at QPR.
Elsewhere Joe Aribo remains unavailable with the start of the African Cup of Nations imminent, with Ross Stewart and Juan Larios amongst the long-term absentees.
For the visitors, Röhl has bolstered the ranks with two January signings; keeper James Beadle and forward Iké Ugbo. Meanwhile Bambo Diaby has returned from suspension.
THE MANAGERS
Russell Martin: "We have opposition in good place with a really good manager. He’s doing a brilliant job but the focus is about us and about the team we want to be. It’ll be about who’s better on the day and what they can do.
"I feel like the lads are prepared, they’re a good team with good players. For whatever reason it didn’t work for them at the start of the season. It’ll be an interesting challenge."
Danny Röhl: To follow
TOP SCORERS
Southampton
Goals:
Adam Armstrong 13
Ché Adams 7
Ryan Fraser 6
Assists:
Adam Armstrong 9
Alcaraz, Sulemana 3
Adams, Fraser, Edozie, Harwood-Bellis, Walker-Peters, Downes, Manning 2
Sheffield Wednesday
Goals:
Anthony Musaba 5
Johnson, Windass, Cademarteri, Smith 3
Nine players 1
Assists:
Musaba, Johnson, Windass, Gassama, Paterson, Bernard 2
Seve players 1
ONES TO WATCH
Ryan Fraser: The Wee Man completed his first 90 minutes for Saints and scored two goals and an assist in his last game.
Wednesday will be aware of the threat he poses not only from the bench, but now as a starter on the flank.
Anthony Musaba: The 23-year-old Dutch attacking midfielder has led the way for the Owls when it comes to attacking returns.
Seven goals and assists in a stop-start season highlights the impact Musaba can have within the side.
HEAD TO HEAD
Played: 85
Saints: 27
Draws: 25
Sheffield Wednesday: 33
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
August 2023: Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Saints (A Armstrong, Adams)
November 2022: Saints 1-1* Sheffield Wednesday (Ward-Prowse) *6-5 on penalties League Cup
September 2012: Saints 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday (Rodriguez 2) League Cup
March 2011: Saints 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday (Fonte, Lambert)
September 2010: Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Saints (Barnard)
DID YOU KNOW?
- This is Saints' first home league match against Sheffield Wednesday since a 2-0 win in March 2011 under Nigel Adkins.
- Saints have the highest average possession figure (66.2%), have completed the most passes (15,679) and boast the highest passing accuracy (90%) of any Championship side this season.
- Adam Armstrong has had a hand in more Championship goals than any other player this season (22 - 13 goals, nine assists).
KEEP UP TO DATE
Not joining us at St Mary’s? We’ve got you covered! We’ll bring you all the behind-the-scenes content alongside the in-game action as Saints host the Owls.
Check out our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com, with live streaming of the game, key updates and audio commentary of the match, and be sure to download the official Saints app and follow us on social media for further updates and exclusive content:
