Sheffield Wednesday vs. Middlesbrough

As the 2024–25 Championship season nears its conclusion, Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday are set to clash at Hillsborough Stadium on Monday. Middlesbrough, aiming for a playoff spot, will face a Sheffield Wednesday side eager to end a six-game winless streak.

Sheffield Wednesday, under manager Danny Röhl, experienced a promising phase last month with victories over Plymouth Argyle and Norwich City. However, their form has since declined, suffering four defeats and two draws in their last six matches. Notably, three of these losses were against teams positioned below them in the league standings. Their recent 2-0 defeat to Stoke City marked the fourth time in this winless run that they failed to score. Despite these challenges, the Owls are currently 15th in the table with 53 points, ensuring their safety from relegation.

At Hillsborough, Sheffield Wednesday has struggled, enduring five consecutive home defeats. A victory on Monday could see them level on points with 12th-placed Watford, potentially overtaking Queens Park Rangers and Norwich City.

Middlesbrough, managed by Michael Carrick, had been in strong form, winning four, drawing one, and losing one between late February and early April. However, back-to-back losses to Leeds United and Millwall threatened their playoff ambitions. They managed to rebound with a narrow 2-1 win over bottom-placed Plymouth Argyle, thanks to a 93rd-minute goal by Tommy Conway. Currently seventh with 63 points, Boro are three points behind sixth-placed Coventry City and four behind fifth-placed Bristol City. With a crucial match against Coventry on May 3, the playoff spots remain within reach.

Middlesbrough's away form in 2025 has been inconsistent, recording six losses, three wins, and one draw. They have also struggled offensively on the road, scoring in only one of their last four away matches. To secure a playoff position, Boro must capitalize on their opportunity against Sheffield Wednesday, especially given their superior goal difference. Any result short of a win could jeopardize their promotion hopes.

The upcoming match is pivotal for both teams: Sheffield Wednesday seeks to end their poor run and finish the season positively, while Middlesbrough aims to keep their promotion dreams alive.