Stoke City vs Sheffield Wednesday: Preview & Prediction

Stoke City’s quest to win their first major trophy since victory in this competition in 1972 continues with a quarter-final tie against Sheffield Wednesday.

The Potters have reached this stage on six previous occasions, most recently losing to Manchester United in the last-eight two years ago.

But after drawing a Championship club at home, boss Mark Hughes, who won the League Cup three times as a player, will be keen to avoid an upset as he seeks to bring silverware to the Britannia Stadium.

The Welsh boss will also be hoping his side can bounce back from a surprise 2-0 defeat at Sunderland on Saturday but will be wary that his side have won just two of their six Premier League matches at home this term.

In the Cup, City have defeated League Two Luton and holders Chelsea on penalties, while also seeing off Championship side Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage in the last-32.

Marko Arnautovic battles for the ball in the last-16 win over Chelsea

Having failed to find their best form in attack, with just 14 goals scored in 17 games, Stoke will know that Sheffield Wednesday will go into this one with real hope of causing yet another shock.

The Owls, who have reached this stage for the first time since 2001/2002, beat Mansfield and Oxford in the early rounds before famously winning 1-0 at Newcastle and thrashing Arsenal 3-0 in the last-32 and last-16 respectively.

Carlos Carvalhal‘s side are now aiming to make it a hat-trick of ‘giant-killings’ with the club who are the outsiders to lift the trophy they did back in 1991.

Ross Wallace celebrates scoring in the 3-0 win over Arsenal

These two sides haven’t met since March 2008, with Wednesday currently leading the head-to-head record 37-32 in the 90 meetings between the two.

Team News:

Stoke will be without captain Ryan Shawcross after he was sent off in the defeat at Sunderland, while Shay Given and Marc Muniesa are also out due to injuries.

The visitors, who have won just two of their nine away league matches, are without midfielder Barry Bannan (knee) but loan striker Gary Hooper is eligible.

Last Meeting: Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Stoke City (March 29, 2008)
Key Players: Stoke City – Jon Walters; Sheffield Wednesday – Tom Lees
Form: Stoke City – WDWWL; Sheffield Wednesday – WWDLWD
Shoot Says: Stoke City 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday