Sheffield Wednesday have a top-half finish in their sights with 4 games of the season remaining and with 2 games in 3 days over the holiday period the Easter weekend matches are likely to have a big bearing on whether this will be achievable. The Owls are currently 3 points behind 12th placed Carlisle ahead of their trip to struggling Walsall on Saturday.
Wednesday are boosted by the return to fitness of central defender Reda Johnson who has recovered from a groin injury though he may have to settle for a place on the bench as the central defensive partnership of loan players Rob Jones and Danny Batth impressed in last weekends win against Hartlepool at Hillsborough.
Midfielder Tommy Miller is expected to be fit after picking up a slight knock in the win over his home town club last time out and it is unlikely that Gary Megson will make too many changes to the side that eased to a comfortable 2-0 victory.
Walsall, currently managed by former Owls captain Dean Smith, are fighting for their lives in the League One relegation places and a win would lift them out of the drop zone.
The Saddlers will be without defender Clayton McDonald who suffered a dislocated shoulder in last weekends defeat to Brighton and has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Former Wednesday player Aaron Lescott is also set to miss out for the home side as he has a knee injury.
Attacking midfielder Emmanuel Ledesma will not feature for Walsall as he starts a 3-match suspension as a result of his dismissal in the Brighton match last time out.
Wednesday are in good form of late having won 3 of their last 4 games but all of those wins have come at Hillsborough. The Owls away form is not so good having only picked up 1 point from their last 3 away matches.
Walsall’s patchy form reflects their lowly league position and they have won 2, lost 2 and drawn 2 of their last six matches. The Saddlers have enjoyed 8 league wins on home soil this season but have also lost 11 of their 21 games on their own turf.
Wednesday were comprehensive 3-0 winners when the sides met at Hillsborough back in November thanks to goals from Potter, Beevers and Clinton Morrison. The Owls have won 2, lost 2 and drawn 4 of their 8 visits to the saddlers.