Sheffield Wednesday face Reading at Hillsborough on Saturday, with both sides struggling for form and seeing their playoff hopes fall away.

Garry Monk's side suffered a poor defeat to bottom-of-the-table Luton Town in the week, while Reading fell to a 2-1 loss to league leaders West Bromwich Albion.

Match preview

Sheffield Wednesday have fallen from the brink of the playoff places to midtable following a recent run of poor results that have seen them take just two points from their last five matches.

The Owls have not scored in their last four and are clearly missing top scorer Steven Fletcher, while they have won just once in their past nine Championship fixtures.

Monk's side have also failed to score in any of their past three home matches and not won any of their last four at Hillsborough.

Now nine points adrift of the playoff places, a win here is desperately needed if they are to retain any hopes of securing promotion.

Reading have also been in poor form of late and have not won in the league since New Year's Day.

While Mark Bowen's side have progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup, they are now just nine points clear of the relegation places.

They have won just four times on the road this season, managing just 17 goals in their 16 matches away from the Madejski Stadium.

Reading also came out on the wrong side the last time these two sides met, with Wednesday winning 3-1 in Berkshire.

Sheffield Wednesday Championship form: WLLDDL
Sheffield Wednesday form (all competitions): LWLDDL

Reading Championship form: LDLDDL
Reading form (all competitions): DLDWDL

Team News

Sheffield Wednesday are still without top scorer Fletcher, who has not appeared for the Owls since early January.

Midfielder Massimo Luongo and left-back Morgan Fox are closing in on a return, though, and could make the squad.

The Owls switched to five-at-the-back for their defeat to Luton but should return to their usual 4-2-3-1 formation.

Ayub Timbe Masika is a doubt for this fixture as he is still lacking match fitness, while Lucas Joao, Chris Gunter and Matt Miazga are also out.

Lucas Boye and Tom McIntyre are also unlikely to be fit, while Andy Rinomhota could come into the starting lineup.

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:
Dawson; Iorfa, Lees, Borner, Palmer; Lee, Bannan; Murphy, Windass, Harris; Wickham

Reading possible starting lineup:
Cabral; Yiadom, Morrison, Moore, Obita; Pele, Rinomhota; Meite, Swift, Ejaria; Puscas

We say: Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Reading

In a battle between two sides struggling for form in the Championship, there is little to choose between them. Sheffield Wednesday are higher in the league but given their form, a draw is the most likely result.