Predicted Sheffield Wednesday v Burton Albion lineups: Hutchinson missing, ex-Owls could feature

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Sheffield Wednesday can increase their hold on the play-off places by beating Burton Albion on Tuesday.

To be played on Tuesday 7th March 2017 at 19:45. Venue: Hillsborough, Sheffield

Odds: Sheff Wed 4/7, Draw 11/4, Burton Albion 5/1

Sheffield Wednesday recorded their biggest win of the campaign so far against Norwich City on Saturday but will be wary of the threat posed by Tuesday’s opponents Burton Albion, despite the Brewers’ position at the other end of the Championship table.

It is these sorts of fixtures which have plagued the Owls all season, as the Owls found out at the Pirelli Stadium back in August, and with Burton losing only one of their last four away games – against second-placed Brighton – a fast start, such as the one on which the 5-1 hammering of Norwich was built, is imperative for Carlos Carvalhal’s side.

To their detriment, Wednesday could be without energetic central midfielder Sam Hutchinson – whose interception and subsequent failure to give up on a lost cause led to his side’s first goal against the Canaries – and fellow engine-roomer Almen Abdi, both of whom face late fitness tests, meaning David Jones could start.

Sheffield Wednesday’s Sam Hutchinson

Owls defender Tom Lees and striker Gary Hooper are again likely to miss out, extending their squad absences to eight and nine matches, respectively, and ensuring starts for Vincent Sasso and Sam Winnall.

That may, however, be nothing compared to Burton’s list of absentees, which could comprise John Brayford, Ben Turner, Michael Kightly, Lucas Akins and Marvin Sordell according to Brewers boss Nigel Clough – a former Hillsborough loanee and manager of Sheffield United.

Burton boss Nigel Clough

Ex-Wednesday trio Stephen Bywater, Luke Varney and Chris O’Grady could all feature, although none have been regulars in recent weeks.

Here’s how we at HITC expect the two sides to line up: