Sunderland’s upcoming opponents Sheffield Wednesday will be going into Friday’s clash hoping to put one awful trend to bed.
Sunderland will face Sheffield Wednesday this Friday, as the Black Cats look to put the previous two losses behind them.
Defeats to both Leeds United and Hull City in the previous week have seriously dented Sunderland’s promotion chances, and the pressure will be on Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris to come away with a result at Hillsborough Stadium.
Despite Sunderland’s recent dip in form, many will still expect them to come away with all three points, especially considering Sheffield Wednesday have three defeats in their previous four, but one further stat outlines just how poor the Owls are against top-level opposition, something that will either fill Black Cats fans with extra hope, or dread.
- READ MORE: When Sunderland could play in Championship play-off semi-final and final as EFL confirm dates
Sunderland set to face Sheffield Wednesday side with awful top six record
Considering Sheffield Wednesday stayed up by the skin of their teeth last season, which came from the last game of the season against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, they have improved under their boss, Danny Rohl, currently sat 13th in the Championship.
However, as shown by the previous meeting between the two clubs, in which Le Bris’ side steamrolled the Owls 4-0 in the first home game for the Black Cats this season, Sheffield Wednesday’s luck against the bigger sides has been non-existent.
Against the current top six, consisting of Leeds United, Sheffield United, Burnley, Sunderland, West Brom and Blackburn Rovers, Sheffield Wednesday have played a total of eight games in the league this season, to which they have accumulated a total of zero points. These games in total have seen the Owls score one goal, shipping 19 at the other end.
Regis Le Bris must repeat reverse Sheffield Wednesday fixture by emphasising one thing
Looking at the previous clash between Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday, which finished 4-0 to the Black Cats, it is clear that Le Bris’ side did one thing perfectly, and that was spring out of the traps early on.
Three of Sunderland’s goals came in the first 24 minutes, as they put on a masterclass in counter-attacking football.
That attacking dynamism and threat has somewhat diminished in recent weeks, with Wilson Isidor notably not getting much goalmouth action, and Enzo Le Fee’s injury will make matters worse in the final third.
However, Sheffield Wednesday’s record against the top six speaks for itself, and this must surely fill the players with confidence to get the ball forward and return to their fast-flowing attacking style.