Sheffield Wednesday finished 12th in the Championship last season
Stoke avoided relegation by just two points in 2024-25
Recommended bet: Stoke to win
Off-field issues have dominated the landscape for Sheffield Wednesday over the summer, but they will be hoping to deliver some positivity on the pitch when they welcome Stoke to Hillsborough for their first home match of the Championship season on Saturday.
The Owls produced a positive display in their season opener away to Leicester, taking the lead at the King Power Stadium before second-half goals from Jannik Vestergaard and Wout Faes saw them succumb to a narrow 2-1 defeat.
Henrik Pedersen's side then overcame League One Bolton Wanderers via a penalty shootout in the Carabao Cup first round during the week and they will hope to build on those efforts this weekend.
Opponents Stoke have made a strong start to the season, beating Derby 3-1 in the league before also progressing in the cup via a penalty shootout against League Two Walsall.
The latest Sheffield Wednesday vs Stoke odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Wednesday's financial issues mean they have lost a whole host of first-team players over the summer, with no new arrivals coming through the door, leaving Pedersen with a threadbare squad to choose from.
Those options have become even more limited due to the injuries picked up by Nathaniel Chalobah and Yan Valery against Leicester, but captain Barry Bannan is available despite being sent off at the King Power, as he served his suspension in midweek.
Stoke manager Mark Robins could revert to the same side that started against Derby after making wholesale changes in the cup, although midfielder Ben Pearson is a slight injury doubt.
The latest Sheffield Wednesday vs Stoke odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Wednesday are unbeaten in their last seven home league games against Stoke, registering five wins during that time, with the Potters last victory at Hillsborough coming in the Championship in 2005.
The Owls have only lost their opening home league fixture in one of the last 11 seasons, although that sole defeat came just two years ago against Southampton.
Stoke have failed to win their first away league match in a season in each of the last 17 years since triumphing 1-0 at Cardiff in 2007-08 – they went on to be promoted at the end of that campaign.
The Potters won the most recent meeting between the two sides in April, claiming a 2-0 success at the bet365 Stadium thanks to goals from Million Manhoef and Ben Wilmot.
The latest Sheffield Wednesday vs Stoke odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
It has been a tumultuous summer for everyone connected with Wednesday and it was to their credit that they pushed the Foxes all the way last weekend.
The cup success, albeit on penalties against a Bolton side that played much of the match with 10 men, will have also helped to lift spirits, but the Owls now look set to face a Potters team who are on the up.
City have finished in the bottom half of the Championship in each of the seven seasons since they were relegated from the Premier League, but they impressed against Derby last weekend and they could be a different beast in Robins' first full season in charge.
Against a spirited but depleted Wednesday side who are expected to struggle, Stoke should be able to make it back-to-back league wins to start the campaign.
