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Opposition: Two players to watch – Sheffield Wednesday

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Heading into Saturday’s game, both teams are chasing the play-offs and both sides are in form in 2016.

Last time the two meet was on Boxing Day, it was Wednesday, lead by a resurgent Fernando Forestieri, who came out on top 3 – 0.

Vital Wednesday and Vital Birmingham City editors Ed Jepson and Tom Heslop take a look at the two players who could have the biggest say in the outcome of this coming Saturday’s clash.

First up the home side, and who else could it be other than former Wednesday winger Jacques Maghoma.

Maghoma, linked up with his ex-boss Gary Rowett at St Andrews during the summer transfer window of 2015. This coming after his expected release from Hillsborough following last season’s mid table finish.

The 28 year old on his day can be almost unplayable for defenders in the Championship. He rarely proved that whilst at Hillsborough, but there were the odd glimpses of his talent.

He tore apart a weakened Millwall side at the New Den last season. As he lead the Owls to a 3 – 1 victory over Millwall setting up all three goals in a a rare free scoring game, by last season’s low goal scoring standards.

But, more regularly he failed to impress and by March last season under Gray it was clear his time in Sheffield was coming to an end.

Since reuniting with Rowett, Maghoma has recaptured his best form and is back amongst the goals for the blue half of the second city. Five goals so far this season see Maghoma only sit behind Clayton Donaldson in the scoring charts for City.

He’d love a goal against his former employers and after a disappointing result against Bristol City last weekend, the DR Congo international will aim to fire his side past the Owls in the League table.

From a former Owl, to a current Owls superstar, Fernando Forestieri.

A lot of Wenesdayites I speak with still can’t quite believe that Fessi is a Wednesday player, not on loan a permanent Wednesday player.

Chansiri didn’t mess about either signing him to a four-year contract at S6. He and the fans have been rewarded as Fessi is bang in his best goal scoring season ever in the English game.

11 so far with two of those strikes coming against Saturday’s opponents and they were two very different strikes. With 18 League games left in the campaign Forestieri will be hoping to continue his fine run of form and achieve Premier League status with his present employers.

Many fans and media onlookers include the little Italian among the Championships best forwards a list that includes Andre Gray, Jordan Rhodes and Ross McCormack to name but a few.

A real catalyst for much of what Wednesday do well going forward along with partners in crime Barry Bannan and Kieran Lee. He links the attacking play, bringing and feeding players like Gary Hooper into the game and setting up goals.

A thorn in the side for many opposing players given his relentless energy and free roaming position given to him by Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal. Having picked apart City already this season, he’ll be aiming to do so once again, in a game were the prize of climbing back into to playoff places is the likely prize.

City’s players will have a target on his back to stop the Italian wizard but as proved against Leeds United a few weeks ago, just trying to kick him will only fire him up and with his talent he’ll be able to take the game away from many sides quickly.

City and their boss Rowett are a different proposition to Leeds and Evans so it’s unlikely that they’ll try to follow that tactic.

Thankfully, as watching players as talented as Forestieri is what thousands paying their money at the turnstiles are wanting to see.

Blues and Owls fans, do you agree that these two players are ones we should watch out for during today’s game? Let us know in the comment section down below!

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