Our prediction for this EFL Cup match:
Sheffield Wednesday
Match Time & Date:
08/08/2023
20:45
Prediction: 2-0
Stockport County
After suffering a heart-breaking loss to Southampton in their Championship opener, Sheffield Wednesday will look to make it to the EFL Cup round 2 when they take on Stockport County in yet another home fixture. The Owls were on the verge of sharing the spoils with the Saints at Hillsborough, but Che Adams’ late goal eventually helped the visiting team pick up all three points from the match.
There are no fresh injury worries in the home team, but all Palmer, James, Musaba, and Fletcher are pushing for a spot in the starting XI. The Hatters, on the other hand, aim to recover from a 1-0 loss to Gillingham, but seeing that over the years Sheffield Wednesday have turned their Hillsborough into a real fortress, we do not believe that the visitors are capable of claiming a major scalp in the EFL Cup round 2. Experienced forward Patrick Madden should be recalled to Stockport’s starting XI.
Highlighted Player (Reece James):
Reece James is a talented Chelsea defender who plays for Wigan Athletic on loan. Born in Redbridge, England on December 8, 1999, James started his youth career at Chelsea football academy at the age of 6. The talented teenager played for England U18 and U19 teams and he currently represents the U20 team on the international stage.
Reece James scored 3 goals in 45 appearances for Wigan in the 2018/2019 Championship campaign, but that did not help the Latics avoid relegation to the League One. His numbers from the 2018/2019 season are impressive as he completed 91 successful tackles, 54 blocks, 44 successful dribbles and 93 clearances.
James, on the other hand, has yet to find the net for the England U20 national team. His main position is right back, but he is capable of playing as both centre-back and defensive midfielder as well. Reece James turned professional in March 2017.
Highlighted Team (Sheffield Wednesday):
Sheffield Wednesday are one of the two famous clubs from the city of Sheffield (South Yorkshire). The Owls compete in the English second tier (Championship) and they play their home matches at Hillsborough.
The venue was the scene of the Hillsborough disaster which occurred in 1989 when 96 Liverpool supporters were crushed to death in the FA Cup semi-final. It has to be noted that the World Cup (1966) and the Euro (1996) matches were played at Hillsborough.
Sheffield Wednesday have won four First Division trophies (1902/2903, 1903/1904, 1928/1929, 1929/2930) and they finished the 1960/1961 campaign in second place in the standings. The Owls have clinched three FA Cup trophies (1896, 1907, 1935), with the team winning the League Cup in 1991.
Sheffield Wednesday defeated English giants Manchester United (1-0) in the title game. Sheffield United are regarded as the Owls’ main rivals and the two teams face each other in the Steel City derby.
Brighton
Southampton
Barcelona
Las Palmas 
Crystal Palace
Newcastle 
Borussia Dortmund 
Bayern Munich 
West Ham
Arsenal
Chelsea 
Aston Villa 
