Sheffield Wednesday host Wigan Athletic at Hillsborough on 12 September 2026 in EFL League One Matchweek 6, with Henrik Pedersen and Gary Caldwell meeting as managers for the first time. Wednesday sit top after five games with 12 points from four wins and one defeat, while Wigan are bottom with three points from one win and four losses. Wednesday are riding a rebuild backed by Arise Capital Partners with genuine promotion ambition, whereas Wigan under Caldwell, who took over in February 2026, are still trying to string results together at all.
Wednesday have won their last three league games, scoring 11 goals and conceding four, while Wigan's last five reads one win and four defeats, the most alarming a 0-4 reverse against Stockport that left them having conceded 11 in five games. Neither side has reported notable absences and both managers go in with full squads available.
Wednesday have been dangerous through Jamal Lowe, Louie Barry and Mason Burstow rotating across the front. Lowe has four goals already, dropping into half spaces to link play before making his run in behind. Barry's directness isolates full backs in one on one situations, while Burstow presses centre backs and holds up play to bring the wide men into the game late.
Wigan's midfield pair of Jensen Weir and Max Power will need to get to Barry Bannan quickly when he receives deep, because if he gets time on the ball he will find Lowe or Barry in the channels before Wigan's backline has time to recover. Should they press him aggressively and win possession, Perkins and Higgins will need it sooner than they have been getting it, though Wigan's away scorelines suggest that supply has been the persistent problem throughout the season so far.
Wednesday have won eight of the last 12 meetings between the sides, with Wigan winning four and no draws. The most recent league clash went 1-0 to Wednesday at home in February 2022.
Bannan's delivery from set pieces is the area where Wednesday can create problems even when open play stalls and with multiple aerial options going forward they are worth watching at corners and free kicks.
Wednesday 2-1 Wigan. Lowe against a Wigan backline that has conceded 11 in five is the likeliest route to the opening goal and Wednesday's home record of four wins from four suggests a second will follow. Perkins or Higgins can nick one on the counter if Wednesday leave space in behind but the visitors pulling level looks considerably less likely than the hosts wrapping it up.
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?.
