Sheffield Wednesday host Stockport County at Hillsborough on 19 September 2026. Wednesday lead League One with 13 points from six games after bouncing back from last season's relegation, while Stockport sit eighth on nine points but lead the division in goals scored. Wednesday want to stretch their lead, Stockport are desperate to arrest the inconsistency that cost them in last season's play off final.
Henrik Pedersen and Jimmy McNulty have never faced each other as managers. Pedersen took charge on 31 July 2025 after replacing Danny Röhl and the evidence of his work so far is 13 points from six games in what is essentially a rebuilding season. McNulty arrived on 5 June 2026 to replace Dave Challinor and has kept Stockport playing attacking football.
Wednesday's last five across all competitions reads D-W-W-W-L: a 0-0 draw with Wigan on 12 September, back to back 2-1 wins over Peterborough on 5 September and Wycombe on 1 September, a 7-2 demolition of Bromley on 29 August and a 0-2 Carabao Cup exit to Wolves on 25 August.
Stockport's last five league games read L-W-L-W-L: a 3-4 defeat at Leicester on 12 September off the back of a 4-0 win over Wigan on 5 September, before that a 0-2 loss at Luton on 2 September, a 5-1 win over Wycombe on 29 August and a 1-2 defeat at Blackpool on 22 August - they score freely and concede just as readily.
Wednesday are carrying a few problems. Di'Shon Bernard is out injured, Yan Valery is doubtful after picking something up against Wigan and Louie Barry and Max Lowe are both unavailable. If Valery does not recover, Liam Palmer is likely to step into the backline, which would leave Wednesday with less width on the right and probably push Keillor-Dunn to drift inside more than usual. The core of the side is intact: Barry Bannan anchors midfield as vice captain, with Jamal Lowe, Davis Keillor-Dunn and Mason Burstow as the attacking options.
Stockport have their own absentees to manage: Adama Sidibeh is ruled out, Brad Hills is sidelined with a cruciate injury and Ryan Rydel is unavailable, which likely means McNulty having to field a midfielder at wing back. Jack Diamond, Kyle Wootton and Harry Wood are all fit, though and Diamond has four league goals while Wootton has five across all competitions.
Wednesday's 4-2-3-1 is built around Bannan sitting deep and dictating the tempo while Lowe and Keillor-Dunn work the channels ahead of him. Thirteen goals in six league games is the return but with Bernard absent and Valery doubtful, Palmer's likely inclusion at right back means less width on that side and Keillor-Dunn tucking in more than he would prefer.
Stockport's fluid 3-4-2-1 has generated 16 goals in six league games, the highest in the division. The back three gives the wing backs licence to push high and with Hills and Rydel out, McNulty will probably ask his front players to press aggressively and win the ball high up the pitch rather than rely on defensive structure alone. Diamond and Wootton will run at a defence missing its first choice right side, while Bannan, receiving between the lines and pinging diagonals to the wide men, looks to set the tempo from deep.
Wednesday's set pieces are a known strength and with Stockport missing defensive cover, deliveries from Bannan and Keillor-Dunn will target a back three short of its first choice bodies - this is also the first competitive league meeting between the two sides in 21 years, so neither will arrive knowing exactly what to expect from the other's dead ball routines. Stockport's high defensive line leaves space in behind that Wednesday can exploit on the break and Wednesday are unbeaten at Hillsborough this season, though Stockport's scoring rate means the hosts cannot afford a lapse.
With 29 goals between the two sides in their combined 12 league games, we are backing 3-3. Wednesday will get chances through Lowe and Keillor-Dunn's movement but Diamond and Wootton will run at a defence missing its first choice right side all afternoon and Stockport's 16 league goals in six games are not a coincidence.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
