It has been a difficult start to the 2017/18 campaign for Sheffield Wednesday, with Carlos Carvalhal’s side struggling to make a major impact on the Sky Bet Championship during the first five fixtures.
The Owls have picked up six-points so far, but have recorded just one victory from the opening stages of the season, with Carvalhal’s side also recording three draws and losing once.
Wednesday headed into the international break on the back of a 1-1 draw with Burton Albion, but since then Carvalhal has strengthened his squad and added some much needed depth.
Jacob Butterfield has arrived at Hillsborough on a season-long loan from Derby County, whilst Joost van Aken has also arrived to add some cover in central defence.
Both those players could make their Wednesday debut on Saturday, when Carvalhal’s side face Nottingham Forest in the Championship.
Here at FLW, we believe that Carvalhal will once again opt for his favoured 4-4-2 formation and this is the starting XI he should pick to take on Forest…
GK: Keiren Westwood
Westwood was substituted during the first-half of Wednesday’s clash with Burton, and it remains to be seen whether he is deemed fit enough for action against Forest following his international duty with Ireland.
If fit, there is no doubt that Westwood will be handed the gloves for this weekend’s fixture.
RB: Jack Hunt
Hunt has featured in all five of Wednesday’s Championship fixtures so far this season, and he will once again be expected to start against Forest.
The 26-year-old has established himself as one of the best in his position and Carvalhal will be looking for another reliable performance from the defender.
CB: Tom Lees
It is likely that Lees will captain Wednesday against Forest, with the defender really growing into a leadership role at Hillsborough.
Since his arrival from Leeds, Lees has certainly improved and is now amongst the best central defenders in the Championship.
CB: Joost van Aken
The Dutch defender is likely to partner Lees in defence and be handed his first taste of Championship football when Forest visit Hillsborough.
Van Aken has plenty of experience from his time in Holland and should have no problems slotting into Wednesday’s side after the international break.
LB: Daniel Pudil
This has been a problem position for Wednesday now for some time, with neither Pudil or Morgan Fox able to grasp an opportunity with both hands.
However, Pudil has deputised for Glenn Loovens well in central defence and should be handed another opportunity to stake a claim for a regular place at left-back.
RM: Ross Wallace
Carvalhal has not yet made his mind up between Wallace and George Boyd, with the Wednesday boss opting to take a look at both during the early stage of the season.
Wallace offers more of a goalscoring threat and should be handed an opportunity against Forest, with the Owls in desperate need of a victory.
CM: Jacob Butterfield
Butterfield should come into the side to make his debut for Wednesday, with the midfielder offering added quality in a key position for the Owls.
If the 27-year-old can exert his passing game against Forest, he could be key to their chance of victory.
CM: Barry Bannan
Bannan is similar to Butterfield and Carvalhal should turn to the duo to get a grip of the game early against Nottingham Forest.
If both Bannan and Butterfield can dominate the midfield, their passing ability and creativity from a deep area could be absolutely vital to helping Wednesday pick up just their second victory in the Championship.
LM: Adam Reach
Carvalhal has preferred Reach on the left side of midfield for most of his time at Hillsborough, and this weekend should be no different, with the 24-year-old offering Wednesday a lot in both attack and defence.
Reach offers a steady option going forward, but he is also excellent at shielding his left-back, which could be vital as Pudil has had problems before.
ST: Gary Hooper
With Fernando Forestieri struggling with an injury, the likelihood is that Carvalhal will turn to Hooper to provide the link between midfield and attack against Forest.
Hooper is physically a lot stronger than Forestieri, and although he is not as creative as the Italian, he will provide more of a goalscoring threat as a second striker.
ST: Jordan Rhodes
It is hard to pick between Rhodes and Steven Fletcher, but the former should be given the nod against Forest this weekend.
With a creative midfield behind the striker, Rhodes should be presented with lots of goalscoring opportunities, which as he has proved throughout his career, he is more than capable of taking.