Championship strugglers set for crunch time
SHEFFIELD Wednesday captain Barry Bannan hopes to celebrate his new contract by securing “a bit of breathing space” in the Championship relegation scrap with victory over Birmingham City.
The 22nd-placed Owls sit above Blues only on goal difference ahead of today’s clash at Hillsborough.
Midfielder Bannan, who signed a new two-year deal on Thursday, scored the winner at St Andrew’s earlier in the season and is under no illusions about the importance of the match.
“It’s a massive game. If we can win, it gives us a bit of breathing space,” he told Wednesday’s website.
“There are a lot of points to play for and both teams need to win it.
“We are both fighting for our lives and, hopefully, we will come out on top and build on our home form.”
Wednesday, under interim boss Neil Thompson, are seeking a sixth successive home victory, while Birmingham have plummeted into trouble following a dismal run of one League win from 13, which has piled pressure on manager Aitor Karanka.
Both sides will be hoping for favours from the division’s top two.
Rotherham United, who sit just above the drop zone, travel to leaders Norwich City, while secondplaced Brentford will attempt to bounce back from consecutive defeats when they face 20th-placed Coventry City.
Having gone five games without success, Sky Blues boss Mark Robins has urged his players to stick together: “If you lose some football matches in the way we are, some players become frustrated in open ways which teams can see and respond to it.”
Mark Warburton has guided Queens Park Rangers away from imminent danger with five wins from six ahead of the trip to managerless Bournemouth.
The sixth-placed Cherries, who have been linked with Arsenal greats Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira regarding their managerial vacancy, remain under the caretaker management of Jonathan Woodgate.
Cardiff City, another of the division’s form sides, are chasing a fifth successive win under Mick Mccarthy at home to Preston North End.
High-flying Swansea City could return to the automatic promotion spots by winning away to out-ofform Huddersfield Town, while Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough are away to fifth-placed Reading.
The Royals’ midweek win at Ashton Gate led to Bristol City sacking Dean Holden. Assistant head coaches Paul Simpson and Keith Downing will oversee the Robins for the visit of Barnsley.
Luton Town manager Nathan Jones returns to the bet365 Stadium to take on former club Stoke City.