On Wednesday Reading look to regain their position in the top six when they travel to the Steel City to face struggling Sheffield Wednesday.

Below we look at everything you need to know about the Owls.

Recent Background

One of English football’s big guns, they have not had the most successful 20 years since the turn of the Millennium.

One of the few clubs older than the Royals in the EFL, the club have won four top division titles, three FA Cups and a League Cup, however none since 1991.

Since relegation from the Premier League in 2000 the club have spent the majority of their time in the Championship, except for five years in League One over two spells.

The last five years have been a struggle, with two failed play-off campaigns in 2015 and 2016 followed by three bottom half finishes, and this looks set to continue.

Following financial irregularities the club were docked 12 points pre-season, but this has since been reduced to six.

The club recently sacked manager Garry Monk and replaced him with veteran Tony Pulis.

The side are currently second bottom in the league, four points adrift of safety.

Key Players

A strong, but ageing side, on paper this side was expected to have done much better than they have so far this season.

Last time out, in a 0-0 draw with Stoke City, they played a 433 formation.

In goal they have academy graduate Joe Wildsmith in place of the experienced Keiren Westwood.

A back four of Liam Palmer, Tom Lees, Julian Borner and Joost Van Aken have over 500 Owls appearances between them.

A midfield three of Barry Bannan, Massimo Luongo and youngster Liam Shaw is packed full of Championship know-how and comfortable ball players.

Then a front three of Kadeem Harris, Adam Reach and Callum Paterson have the pace out-wide and strength down the middle to cause any teams problems.

Other options not started include Josh Windass, Aden Flint and Jordan Rhodes; all of which are vastly experienced at this level.

Past Meetings

Since the sides first met in 1929 the sides faced off just 29 times, with 23 of those coming in the last 18 years proving the historical divide between the sides.

Last season Reading lost 3-1 in the opening game of the season, with current top scorer Lucas Joao scoring against the Royals just the day before he made the move to Berkshire.

The return match was much more enjoyable, a comfortable 3-0 win for Mark Bowen’s side, which in truth could have been five or six in Reading’s favour.

The most memorable match between the sides remains a 6-0 demolition at the Mad Stad in 2008, with a Kevin Doyle hat-trick, a brace for Noel Hunt and a goal for Andre Bikey.

Overall Reading have won 11, lost 12 and drawn six against Wednesday’s opponents.

Odds

According to Sky Bet, the hosts are 8/5 to win, a draw is 2/1 and a Reading win at Hillsborough is 19/10.