Sunderland v Sheffield Wednesday: Sky Sports pundit issues score prediction | OneFootball

Sunderland take on Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

It has been an incredibly disappointing season for Sunderland, and they have fallen down the table following the shock sacking of Tony Mowbray in December.

Mowbray's replacement, Michael Beale, was dismissed in February after winning just four of his 12 games in charge, with Mike Dodds taking over as interim head coach until the end of the season.

Dodds enjoyed a strong spell as caretaker after Mowbray's exit, but he has found it much tougher this time around, winning only two of his 12 games in charge so far, drawing three and losing seven.

Sunderland were beaten 1-0 by Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday, with Ryan Andrews' second half strike winning the game for the Hornets, and they currently sit 15th in the table.

It has been a remarkable turnaround for Wednesday since Danny Rohl replaced Xisco Munoz in October, and they are on the verge of securing Championship survival.

The Owls took a big step towards safety as they recorded their second consecutive victory with a 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at Hillsborough on Saturday.

After a bright start, Wednesday deservedly took the lead in the 22nd minute through Anthony Musaba, and they continued to dominate after the break, with goals from Ike Ugbo and Josh Windass sealing a crucial three points.

The Owls currently sit 20th in the table, three points clear of the relegation zone, but they have a vastly inferior goal difference to those around them, and they will be relegated if they lose and Plymouth Argyle and Birmingham City both win.

David Prutton's Sunderland v Sheffield Wednesday prediction

Sky Sports pundit Prutton believes Wednesday will secure survival against Sunderland, predicting a 2-0 win for the Owls.

Speaking on the Sky Sports Championship Predictions podcast, Prutton praised Rohl for the excellent work he has done at Hillsborough since his arrival in October, but he admits the perception of the German would be different if his side were relegated.

Asked if Rohl has done a good job at Hillsborough, Prutton said: "It is now, because they're out of the bottom three.

"He was doing perceived good work, but they were still in the bottom three.

"Now that they've come out of the bottom three, without being too cynical, that's when it becomes good work. "You can change x, y and z in the team, but if you get relegated, it's not a job well done at all, you just get relegated in a slightly better manner if that's not too much of an oxymoron.

Sheffield Wednesday must remain focused against Sunderland

Wednesday's impressive 3-0 win over West Brom last weekend sparked scenes of celebration after the final whistle, but the job is not done just yet.

The Owls' fate remains firmly in their own hands, and with Plymouth and Birmingham facing tough games against Hull and Norwich, it is likely that Rohl's men will stay up even if they lose.

However, they will not want to take that chance, and it is an excellent opportunity to pick up all three points against a Sunderland side who have not won at home since early February.

Given the contrasting form of the two sides, Wednesday come into the game as favourites, and they should be able to secure at least the point they need to survive.