Leicester City v Sheffield Wednesday
The first Friday night offering in the Championship since January pits league leaders Leicester up against Stuart Gray’s Sheffield Wednesday. The hosts need just two more wins to secure promotion although the Owls will be no pushovers.
Leicester are not sprinting over the finish line, but remain miles clear of the pack after last weekend’s victory of Burnley. A late Dean Hammond goal salvaged a point on Tuesday against Wigan to continue the Foxes unbeaten run that now looks like it could last till the end of the season. After a great March, Nigel Pearson picked up the Championship Manager of the Month award, his second monthly award of the season after picking up the prize for January. Injury set backs show no signs of halting Leicester’s progress to the promised land and this was proved last weekend. Jamie Vardy picked up an injury in the first half, but his replacement Chris Wood was superb getting the assist for David Nugent’s opener and secure the win with a wonder-strike himself. Wood has been unfortunate to be third choice behind Nugent and Vardy, however he is the in form man at present and is this game’s key man.
After a sensational start at the helm at Hillsbrough, Stuart Gray’s first season in management since 2009 has drifted slightly. The main aim when he took over initally as caretaker manager back in December would have been to remain in the Championship. This fear was avoided after a great run of 8 games unbeaten from Boxing Day through to mid-February, which say the Owls climb to mid-table safety. Since then some great performances have been scattered around some below par performances. Under Dave Jones Wednesday drew 8 of their opening 12 games this season. Their last 13 have seen them not reach a stalemate once. With safety all but a mathematical certainty the Owls have nothing to play for bar their pride, but do not expect them to let Leicester continue their assault on the league title. In the reverse fixture, which was Gray’s first in charge, Wedneday pulled off shock victory and Nigel Pearson will know that this game is far from a certain win.
Previous meeting: 2-1 Wednesday win
Match odds: Leicester 4/9 Draw 100/30 Leicester 11/2
Score prediction: 2-0 Leicester win
