Southampton are currently seven league games unbeaten, and after their biggest win of the season in midweek, it’s clear things are finally starting to click for Tonda Eckert’s side.
The Saints’ unbeaten run is their longest in over two years - keep this up and another play-off campaign is almost certainly in store.
A win against Sheffield Wednesday, whose relegation was confirmed after a 2-1 loss to rivals Sheffield United last Sunday, would take the Saints another small step towards their end-of-season goal.
Owls won’t roll over
While Sheffield Wednesday’s relegation has already been confirmed, the Owls still have pride to play for, and won’t want to become the first side in Championship history to finish on a negative points tally, after setting the record for the earliest relegation last Sunday.
There are no easy games in the Championship - but if there is ever a must-win game for Southampton, it’s this one.
Sheffield Wednesday have failed to score in 19 of their 34 games, more often than any other team in the Championship this season. The club has also lost their last 11 games, their longest ever winless streak.
Danish head coach Henrik Pedersen will be disappointed, but not surprised, with how this season has gone - the final nail in the coffin was as early as October, when the club was plunged into administration and many players, including club legend Barry Bannan, left at the next opportunity.
Must-win game for Saints
Since Tonda Eckert took charge in November, the Saints have achieved the highest points tally and scored the most goals in the Championship. They have averaged 1.81 points per game, playing themselves into play-off contention.
The trip to Hillsborough will be a chance to rest a few players who are closing in on suspensions for multiple yellow card offences, with Flynn Downes, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and James Bree on fine lines.
Whilst changes will likely be made to the side that won against QPR, by no means should Southampton underestimate Wednesday - that’s how they’ll be surprised and lose the game.
Perhaps it’ll be a chance for Sam Edozie to play from the off, who has excited during his cameos since returning to the Saints setup, but unfortunately for him, he is behind star player Leo Scienza in the pecking order.
Anything less than three points is a poor result for the Saints in this one, who sit just one place and four points off the play-off spots with 12 games of the season to go.