Sunderland host Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the 2023/24 Championship season.
For Sunderland, it’s very much a nothing game, whereas for Sheffield Wednesday it’s their biggest game of the season.
The Owls can secure their own safety with a point at the Stadium of Light.
They sit three points and two places above the drop zone as things stand, though if Birmingham City win against Norwich City and Sheffield Wednesday lose, it’ll send the Owls back down to League One.
Sheffield Wednesday under Danny Rohl, who’s one of the managers linked with Sunderland this season, have won their last two games now, beating West Brom 3-0 last time out.
Sunderland under Mike Dodds however have won just two of their last 14 in the Championship, losing their last two now with the last being a 1-0 defeat at Watford.
David Prutton gives Sunderland vs Sheffield Wednesday score prediction
Speaking ahead of the weekend, Sky Sports pundit and former Owls midfielder David Prutton gave his score prediction for the Sunderland vs Sheffield Wednesday game.
He said when asked if Rohl has done a good job at Sheffield Wednesday this season:
“He was doing perceived good work but they were still in the bottom three. Now that they’re out of the bottom three, without being too cynical, that’s when it becomes good work. You can change XYZ in the team, if you get relegated, it’s not a job well done, is it?”
He added:
“If he gets them safe, it’s a fantastic job.”
Prutton has predicted a 2-0 win for Sheffield Wednesday away at Sunderland on Saturday.
Last time these two teams met, Sunderland won 3-0 at Hillsborough after scoring three goals in the opening 31 minutes of the game.
It was as one-sided as it comes, though the tide has certainly changed for both teams since then.
Mike Dodds has to unleash one player against Sheffield Wednesday
Sunderland fans will of course want to see their side put in a positive display and get the result this weekend, even though their team sit in 15th and have nothing to play for now.
And fans may also want to see Dodds take the chance to play one or two fringe or lesser-seen players, one being Tommy Watson.
The 18-year-old was on the bench for the Watford game but Dodds overlooked him and chose to bring on the divisive Abdoullah Ba instead.
But this weekend’s game may be the perfect time for Dodds to have Watson a bit of game time or even a starting spot.
It’ll be a very tough game, like Prutton suggests, and a good test of the youngster’s mettle, and with Jack Clarke looking nailed on to leave this summer, getting Watson gelled into the first-team in time for next season seems like a must.
Kick off is at 12:30pm on Saturday.