Preview: Red Bull Salzburg vs. Sheffield Wednesday – prediction, team news, lineups

The Red Bull Arena will host a battle of the Austrian Bundesliga and the English Championship on Saturday afternoon when Red Bull Salzburg and Sheffield Wednesday lock horns for a pre-season friendly.

Die Roten Bullen are well into their summer itinerary as they prepare for next week’s Austrian Cup action as the Owls step up their preparations for the start of their league campaign in August.

Match preview

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After dominating possession of the domestic crown for an entire decade between 2014 and 2023, Red Bull Salzburg relinquished control of the Austrian Bundesliga title at the end of the 2023-24 season, finishing two points behind champions Sturm Graz after a tense finish to mandate. .

As a result, Die Roten Bullen will need to qualify in the preliminary rounds of Europe to book a place in this season’s revamped Champions League, a competition where the Austrian powerhouses were knocked out at the group stage in 2023, finishing bottom. section containing Real Sociedad, Inter Milan and Benfica.

Renowned for cultivating exciting young talent who often test themselves in the German Bundesliga, RB Salzburg have another potential superstar in the form of a 20-year-old. Karim Konatewith the Ivory Coast international netting 20 league goals in just 29 appearances last campaign.

Looking to regain control of the Austrian title following a slump in form, Die Roten Bullen moved in the off-season to secure the managerial services of the former Liverpool assistant manager. Pepijn Lijnderswho helped the Reds to Premier League and Champions League glory under the legendary boss Jurgen Klopp.

With an Austrian Cup first-round tie against ranked Dornbirn scheduled for next Friday, Salzburg began their pre-season plans at the end of June and are unbeaten in four friendlies so far this summer, including a sweep of 8-1 with SV Kuchl and a 2-2 draw with Czech giants Sparta Prague.

Although only part of pre-season, Sheffield Wednesday fans will appreciate seeing their side take on Champions League opposition on Saturday afternoon, given that the Yorkshire club’s situation could have been significantly worse before season 2024-25.

Rooted in last place in the Championship near the start of last term, the Owls benefited hugely from their decision to appoint Danny Rohl as manager in October, with the German leading an improbable survival drive for a team that looked dead and buried alongside Rotherham United.

Ultimately, 22nd-placed Birmingham were condemned to League One football despite picking up 50 points from second-placed, meaning they had to be exceptional on Wednesday to avoid defeat, with the Owls winning four and drawing two of their last six games to finish in the standings. the 20th.

Looking to avoid a repeat of a stress-inducing relegation battle this time around, Rohl’s men acted decisively in the first half of the summer window to recruit nine new or returning faces, including a Manchester United academy graduate. Charlie McNeill to a free transfer.

Wednesday have endured a mixed start to pre-season in terms of results, with Saturday’s visitors beating non-league side Alfreton Town 2-0 on July 6 before suffering a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion behind. behind closed doors earlier this week.

Red Bull Salzburg friendly form:

Sheffield Wednesday friendly form:

Team news

RB Salzburg does not have the services of a goalkeeper Janis Blaswichwith the RB Leipzig loanee recovering from a shoulder injury suffered earlier in the month.

Die Roten Bullen’s options between the sticks are further limited by the absence Alexander Schlagerso be it Timo Horn or young Jonas Krumney will start in the net.

Daouda Guindo played for Mali in June’s World Cup qualifiers but has since picked up a foot injury, meaning the left-back will play no part this weekend.

There are also goalkeeping concerns for Sheffield Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s clash with new arrivals Ben Hamer suffered an injury in the early stages of the pre-season.

As a result, James Beadle He is likely to start in goal for the Owls at the Red Bull Arena, where the Brighton youngster will make his second debut for Wednesday after spending the latter half of last season on loan at Hillsborough.

Red Bull Salzburg possible starting lineup:
Krumney; Dedic, Piatkowski, Blank, Mellberg; Capaldo, Diambou, Kjaergaard; Amankwah, Yeo, Ratkov

Possible starting line-up for Sheffield Wednesday:
Beadle; Ihiekwe, Famewo, Valery, Johnson; Paterson, Shipston, Bannan, Gassama, Musaba; Windass

We say: Red Bull Salzburg 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday

With competitive action just days away, Salzburg should be nearing peak fitness and will be confident of mollifying second-tier opposition at home.

Sheffield Wednesday face another tough task after the game at Brighton earlier in the week and we think the Owls’ summer journey will start with defeat.

There is no information about data analysis

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