Sheffield Wednesday – Sunderland

The home team will be closer to winning the 1/64th final meeting

There is more intrigue and hidden meaning in one of Wednesday's English League Cup matches than in many of the country's top clubs' dates. Not only did Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland compete in League One last season, but they also faced off to decide who would go to the final play-offs for promotion to the Championship. "The Black Cats bounced back in very dramatic style in the return meeting then, before dealing with Wicombe Wanderers more easily in the final. Sunderland will make their next start to the cup tournament as a Championship club. The team has played seven friendlies in July, with mixed results. However, the Black Cats' start in England's second division may well be considered a success. First, Sunderland were unlucky to keep the winning score in the meeting with Coventry City (1-1), and then the Championship newcomer scored a 3-2 win over Bristol City at the opponents' walls. "The Black Cats were one of the most sensational participants in this cup competition last season, reaching the quarter-final stage as a League One club. Sunderland swept aside Port Vale, Blackpool, Wigan and CRC one by one, but stumbled at the end against Arsenal. Sheffield Wednesday, having crashed out at the semi-final stage of last season's play-offs from their upcoming rivals, have entered the new League One season as one of the favourites. Despite a 3-3 home draw in the first leg against Portsmouth, the Owls secured a 1-0 away win over Milton Keynes in the second leg. Wensday can be called one of the cup-tournament 'specialists'. Despite their non-elite division status, the Owls have been regular participants in the 1/8 and 1/16 finals in the last six or seven years and reached the quarter-finals of the English League Cup in the 2015/2016 season, edging out Newcastle and Arsenal. In addition to home-field advantage and motivation to get even with their rivals, Sheffield's quieter preparation for the season is also in favour of the upcoming match. Unlike Sunderland, who now have to adapt to the new conditions of existence. Wednesday will be closer to victory.