Sheffield Wednesday will be looking for a 4th successive home win on Monday afternoon as they look to finish the season on a high and an Owls win could condemn their opponents to League Two football next season if other results go against them.
A defeat for the visitors would leave them at least 6 points from safety with just 2 games to go while Wednesday could move within touching distance of the top half with another 3 points.
On-loan centre-back Rob Jones was withdrawn late on during Saturday’s draw at Walsall having felt unwell prior to the game but he is expected to be fit. Reda Johnson will be in line to replace him as he did at the weekend if that isn’t the case.
Jamaican winger Jermaine Johnson was introduced at half-time against the Saddlers, replacing Giles Coke and he is likely to be in contention for a start at Hillsborough. Gary Megson is unlikely to make too many changes as he searches for some consistency as the season draws to a close.
Swindon were rocked by a 2-1 home defeat to relegation rivals Notts County on Saturday having led for a long period of the game before succumbing to 2 late goals and it now seems inevitable that the Robins will be dropping down a division.
The sale of top scorer Charlie Austin in January came as a big blow to Town, who reached the play-off final last season and they may have to travel to Hillsborough without current 1st choice striker Matt Ritchie after he was forced out of Saturday’s defeat in the closing stages after scoring the opening goal.
Goalkeeper David Lucas and winger Jon-Paul McGovern – regulars in the Owls 2004/05 promotion winning side – are likely to line up against their former club in what is a must win game for the visitors.
Swindon manager Paul Hart could well suffer Hillsborough heartache virtually one year on from guiding Crystal Palace to safety at Wednesday’s expense on the same ground last season.
Wednesday’s only defeat in their last 5 games came at table-topping Brighton and the Owls have won 3 in a row on their own turf. Swindon on the other hand have only won once in the last 21 attempts and they have only recorded 3 away wins all season though their last away game did result in a 1-0 win at Brentford.
The Owls suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Swindon back in December but they have a strong home record against the Robins with 9 wins and just 1 defeat against them in 15 encounters on home soil.