Stoke City vs Sheffield Wednesday preview: What time does it start, what channel is it on and where can I watch it?

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at the Britannia Stadium

Sheffield Wednesday's Ross Wallace scores against Arsenal (Getty Images)

It’s a big game for…

Ross Wallace: The former Burnley wideman was a standout performer in the Owl’s shock 3-0 win against Arsenal in the previous round of the competition, scoring the opener and assisting Lucas Joao’s header with a pinpoint cross. Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal will be hoping that Wallace’s top flight experience will help them to another giant killing.

Weird /best stat…

316: Before he was sent off against Sunderland over the weekend, Stoke had gone 316 minutes without conceding with captain Ryan Shawcross back in the side. However, his dismissal coincided with the Black Cats beating Jack Butland twice within 3 minutes as they went on to win 2-0. Shawcross, who marshalled Diego Costa superbly in Stoke’s win over Chelsea earlier in the month, will be a big miss for the Potters.

Remember when…

To beat Stoke’s Jack Butland this season, you normally need to produce something pretty special - which is exactly what Wednesday’s Marco Matias did against Leeds earlier this season. Having beaten the offside trap, Matias lobbed the ball back over the chasing defender and volleyed a stunning opener in off the crossbar:

Player to watch…

Lucas Joao: With 4 goals in his last 4 appearances (only 1 start), the Portuguese striker could end up causing many-a-problem for Stoke’s defence. As well as being a fearsome header of the ball, Joao is a threat with the ball at his feet too. Whoever stands in as deputy for Ryan Shawcross will have to be on their toes to stop the big man.

Past three-meetings…

Sheffield Wendesday 1 (Songo’o) Stoke City 1 (Cresswell), Championship, March 2008

Stoke 4 (Fuller 2) Sheffield Wednesday 4 (Johnson, Tudgay 2, Burton), Championship, October 2007

Stoke 1 (Sidibe) Sheffield Wednesday 2 (MacLean, Burton), Champioship, December 2006

Form guide…

Stoke City: LWDWWL

Sheffield Wednesday: WWDLWD

Vital information…

Kick-off time: 19:45

TV: Highlights on Channel 5, 22:55