Wednesday must rediscover home form to maintain challenge

Last updated : 02 December 2016 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday must improve on their home results if they are to mount a promotion challenge this season. Carlos Carvalhal's side reached the play-off final on the back of a fine home campaign last season which saw lose just 2 games at Hillsborough. They have already been beaten 3 times on home soil this campaign including 2 defeats and their last 3 in front of the home fans.

Wednesday will be without injured striker Gary Hooper. Lucas Joao played alongside Fernando Forestieri in attack last weekend and Carvalhal must decide whether to go with the same pair or consider recalling Scotland international Steven Fletcher.

Daniel Pudil may be fit enough to return at left-back but if not Adam Reach is likely to continue in that position.

Preston travel to Hillsborough with plenty of familiar names in their ranks. Manager Simon Grayson had a short spell on loan with the Owls, defender Tommy Spurr spent many years at Hillsborough while Marnick Vermijl, Stevie May and Aiden McGeady have all recently featured for Wednesday.

North End are likely to be without injured duo Paul Gallagher and John Welsh but former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford could return to the side.

The two sides shared the spoils when they met last season with Wednesday winning 3-1 at Hillsborough but losing 1-0 at Deepdale. Despite last season's victory Wednesday don't have a great recent home record against Preston as the visitors have won 5 and lost 4 of their last 10 visits to S6.