Preview | Swansea City v Sheffield Wednesday
Swansea City will look to extend their unbeaten home run to seven when they host Sheffield Wednesday at the Swansea.com Stadium this afternoon (12.01pm kick-off).
Last time out, Vitor Matos' squad claimed an impressive victory on the road against play-off chasing Watford, thanks to second-half goals from Marko Stamenic and Josh Key.
The Owls are winless in their last 24 league games this campaign, and have lost their last seven consecutive fixtures in all competitions.
This afternoon's fixture is dedicated to incredible work of Swansea City AFC Foundation, the club's charitable arm.
Team news
Swansea City will make a late decision on the fitness of Melker Widell ahead of Sunday’s Championship clash.
Sweden international Widell missed the win over Watford with a minor quad injury, and is touch and go to be available to face the Owls in SA1, but new signing Leo Walta is in contention to make his Swans debut.
The Finland international joined the Swans on deadline day and has taken a full part in training ahead of a potential home bow.
Winger Zeidane Inoussa and Adam Idah, meanwhile, are recovering from long-term injuries.
Pre-match views
Vitor Matos: "No-one should be thinking anything is easy.
"You only have to look at their recent results to see that it is a team that is fighting.
"They are trying their very best to get the points and results, they are in a difficult position but they are giving everything.
"So you cannot have any thought or instinct that the game is done before it starts."
Henrik Pedersen: "Swansea is one of the team's with the most clarity in how they play.
"They are very educated in how they play so you have to invest a lot in pressing situations as they are comfortable under pressure.
"They are strong on the ball, they press very aggressively, so we need the balance the game to move them around and speed up the game, but also be ready to play simple, vertical football.
"It's going to be one of the things we have to work on. They are a good opponent with a clear style and we are looking forward to going there and attacking this opponent."
Meet the officials
Thomas Kirk will be the referee for Swansea City’s Championship meeting with Sheffield Wednesday this afternoon.
It will be the second time Kirk has taken charge of a game at the Swansea.com Stadium; his only previous experience of having the whistle for a Swans home fixture came earlier this season in the 1-0 win over Sheffield United.
He also took control of a 2-2 draw at Coventry City in December 2023.
Kirk has enjoyed a rapid rise having been officiating in the National League as recently as the 2021-22 season.
Ward will be assisted by Johnathon Bickerdike and Robert Hyde, while Leigh Doughty will be the fourth official.
Remember the last time?
Swansea City 0 Sheffield Wednesday 1
Michael Smith’s goal was enough to condemn Swansea City to defeat against Sheffield Wednesday as the hosts were denied a stoppage-time equaliser at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Second-half substitute Smith finished smartly after the hosts had been guilty of conceding possession cheaply deep in their own half.
But the home side thought they had levelled when Jay Fulton arrived to finish from close range in the final of four minutes of time added on, but the offside flag soon brought celebrations to a stop.
Prime numbers
1 - Sheffield Wednesday have won just one of their past seven away league games against Swansea (D3 L3), though it was in this exact fixture last season (1-0).
13 - Zan Vipotnik is the top scorer in the Championship with 13 goals, while no player has netted more at home than the Slovenian (9, level with Jaden Philogene).
19 - In what is the 19th different league campaign in which the sides have met, Swansea are looking to complete the league double over Sheffield Wednesday for the first time.