Sheffield Wednesday face a tough encounter next in the league as the Owls travel to Craven Cottage to contend with Fulham this forthcoming weekend.

The Cottagers sit just one place below a playoff spot in the Sky Bet Championship yet surprisingly have only won two games at home this term. Wednesday, sat 9th in the league, have struggled to find form on the road having only won two games from a possible eight. Victory for the Owls may just be the result they need to kick start the remainder of their season as they find themselves slightly underachieving, particularly away from home.

Expectations of the Wednesday fans have been set back slightly over the last few weeks with back to back losses against Derby County and Ipswich Town. The upcoming fixture against Fulham is sat finely in the balance with both teams equal on 24 points in the league.

With this contest so tough to call, Shoot! have picked out FIVE key players ahead of the clash who may be crucial over the 90 minutes to help ensure victory…

Sam Hutchinson

Many Wednesdayites would say Hutchinson has been their player of the season so far, with three Man of the Match awards in fourteen appearances. The Owls number 23 has been the main man in defence this term and over the course of the season has cemented his place in the back two with Tom Lees.

Last season saw Hutchinson playing a defensive midfield role whereby aggressive but confident performances staked his claim as one of the first names on the team sheet. An aspiring performance from Hutch and Lees in this upcoming fixture may just be enough to keep Fulham’s attacking threat at bay.

Tom Cairney

Cairney has certainly been a stand out performer in the league so far this season and is without doubt one to watch in this upcoming clash. The Cottagers number 10 finds himself as joint top league scorer at the club with Chris Martin on four goals. The 25-year-old also has two Man of the Match awards to his name this term and has an average pass completion rate of 91.8%.

Without question, Cairney is proving to be one of the best players in the league with ‘bigger’ clubs surely keeping an eye on the former Scotland under-21. With two assists this season and a goal in his previous outing against Brentford, the Owls will have a huge task on hands their preventing Cairney making an impact.

Kieran Lee

Kieran Lee is the only Sheffield Wednesday player to start in every league outing this campaign, sixteen in total. Consistently good displays from the box to box midfielder have without doubt made him one of Carlos Carvalhal’s most trusted players in his squad.

With three goals so far this season from central midfield, the former Man United youngster will be key in the upcoming contest with Fulham if the Owls are to walk away with any points at all. As a fan’s favourite at S6, Lee will be looking to amend a disappointing performance by his standards in the loss to Ipswich Town by giving it his all against the West Londoners on Saturday.

Sone Aluko

Nigeria international Sone Aluko has played a major part in all forms of attack for Fulham this season. In fifteen appearances, the Cottagers number 24 has scored three goals, created four assists and averages over three shots per game.

Aluko, a lively forward who can either play on the wing or upfront also, like Cairney netted on his previous outing against Brentford. The 27-year-old will certainly keep the Wednesday defence on their toes.

Gary Hooper

Gary Hooper has had his critics this season yet still finds himself as Wednesday’s top goal scorer with five goals in the league, that coming from only ten starting appearances. With three goals in his last six, Hopper could certainly be the marksman who claims all three points for the Owls.

If chances are put on a plate for Gary, nine times out of ten he will find the net. His record speaks for itself. One particular downfall for the Owls this season has been finishing goal scoring chances. With Hooper expected to play up top with team mate Steven Fletcher, these two alone could claim a much needed victory for the Owls as long as they find themselves on fine form in front of goal.

Fulham have been creeping up the table towards the top six after finding a good run of form. Wednesday however are desperate for points of late. This feisty but nervy encounter without doubt should entertain and may prove to be an enthralling fixture for the neutrals.