Owls boss Dave Jones will look to make it four wins from four since taking over at Hillsborough when Walsall visit tonight.
Jones has convincingly won all three matches since his arrival to get Wednesday back on level points with second-placed Sheffield United.
It means victory tonight, coupled with the Blades dropping points at Notts County, would see Wednesday move back into the automatic promotion spots.
But a late turnaround and 2-1 defeat at the Bescot Stadium over the festive period will put the Owls on alert against the Saddlers.
Vital Quotes:
Owls boss Dave Jones told the official SWFC website:
‘I’m pleased with everybody because the front two can’t score unless the players behind are supplying them, so as a team effort it has been superb.
‘Players will make mistakes but as long as they keep believing in what they are doing, then they’ll keep striving on but I’m pleased with everybody.
‘Walsall are struggling, they need points to survive, we need points for different reasons so we know this next game will be a tough battle.
‘But we’re the home side and we’ll have to do what we have been doing over the last few weeks while I’ve been here.’
Wednesday Team News:
It could be ‘as you were’ for the fourth game on the spin for Wednesday, although there are some niggling injury concerns.
Skipper Rob Jones is expected to be fit and available to return after leaving the pitch early at Notts County through a neck injury. Miguel Llera will come in to replace him if not fully fit.
Gary Madine will also undergo a late fitness test on a hamstring injury but the game is expected to come too soon for a start for Reda Johnson and his namesake Jermaine, who are both back in training.
Player to watch: Michail Antonio
The man of the moment at Wednesday. Grabbing goals and creating them, the on-loan Reading man will be key again for the Owls tonight.
Walsall Team News:
Walsall will be battling for everything as they look to avoid a drop down to League 2.
The Saddlers fell to a 2-1 defeat against Yeovil Town last time out and may arrive at S6 just looking to avoid defeat and make it tricky for their hosts.
Boss Dean Smith, a former Owls player, could stick with the same starting eleven for tonight’s match despite their weekend defeat.
Richard Taundry is likely to miss out through a hamstring injury.
Player to watch: Jon Macken
The former Manchester City, Preston and Barnsley striker is Walsall’s top-scorer with seven goals to his name so-far this season. His experience will be key in helping the Saddlers avoid the drop.
Match Facts & Stats
Form:
Wednesday: W-W-W-D-W
Walsall: L-D-W-D-D
Head-to-Head:
Wednesday wins: 10
Walsall wins: 4
Draws: 7
Last Time Out:
Walsall 2-1 Wednesday
The Bescot Stadium, 26/12/11
Wednesday led through Ryan Lowe’s 60th-minute strike but Walsall won in dramatic fashion, scoring twice late on to steal victory from defeat.
Next Fixtures:
v Leyton Orient (A) – 24/3/12
