Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth Argyle will be looking to make a positive start to their respective campaigns on Sunday afternoon when they meet in the Championship.
Each of these teams only avoided relegation on the final day of last season, the visitors having since appointed Wayne Rooney as their new head coach.
Match preview
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There were naturally a few raised eyebrows when Plymouth opted to bring in Rooney as their next permanent boss, the England legend having failed to make an impact at Birmingham City.
Nevertheless, it has since become clear that Rooney was not necessarily the issue at St Andrew's, and there is optimism that he can settle into life at Home Park.
Plymouth are again regarded as relegation favourites, something which Rooney may relish, yet he will feel that Argyle can finish far higher than fourth from bottom.
The impact of forward Muhamed Tijani could surprise a few, while Rooney has brought in a familiar face in defensive-minded player Victor Palsson who he knows from his days at DC United.
Aside from earning a 2-2 draw with Orlando Pirates in their first fixture, Plymouth played lower-level EFL opposition in pre-season, winning three times and only losing to Bristol Rovers.
As for Sheffield Wednesday, there is excitement at Hillsborough that Danny Rohl can deliver a campaign where they are competing at the right end of the table.
Rohl worked wonders to keep the Owls in the second tier at the end of 2023-24, winning a total of 16 of his 38 matches in all competitions to solidify that he is the right man for the project at the Yorkshire giants.
An array of eye-catching signings have been made, with Max Lowe, Nathaniel Chalobah and Jamal Lowe all players who add experience and quality to his squad.
While that may not have shown in pre-season, Wednesday played far tougher opposition than Plymouth, earning draws with Werder Bremen and Leganes.
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Team News
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Despite failing to break the deadlock against Leganes, Wednesday put in an encouraging performance against the Spanish outfit on August 3.
With no alterations made until the 74th minute, the impression was given that the players who started that game could get the nod here.
That would see James Beadle, Yan Valery, Max Lowe and Jamal Lowe all make their debuts, with most recent arrival Ike Ugbo being selected on the substitutes' bench.
Meanwhile, Rooney took 66 minutes to make a change in the 1-0 win at MK Dons with more players being handed opportunities during the final quarter.
Bali Mumba may get the nod at right-back, while Adam Forshaw could be considered for a role in central-midfield if Rooney opts for a more defensive-minded strategy.
Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:
Beadle; Valery, Iorfa, Famewo, M. Lowe, Palmer, Bannan, Gassama, Musaba, Windass, J. Lowe
Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:
Hazard; Mumba, Gibson, Palsson, Ogbeta; Houghton, Forshaw, Randell; Whittaker, Tijani, Cissoko
We say: Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 Plymouth Argyle
All eyes will be on Rooney and how his side fares under his guidance. Nevertheless, based on the end of the last campaign, this feels like a progressive Sheffield Wednesday outfit who could challenge for promotion, leading us to predict a convincing victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
