Sheffield Wednesday again came up short in their second straight play-off appearance last season so Carlos Carvalhal and company should be eyeing automatic promotion this season.

The club hit the ground running early on, traveling to Preston to begin the season before welcoming QPR to Hillsborough a week later.

The first Steel City derby  in over five years will take place on 23 September when Sheffield United come to visit after being promoted from League One. The next week the Owls welcome fellow promotion challengers Leeds United to Hillsborough after being swept last season.

A Boxing Day trip to Nottingham Forest kicks off Wednesday’s holiday season before a home game against last season’s strugglers Burton Albion on New Years Day.

The second Steel City derby comes on 13 January at United. Carvalhal’s side get another shot at rivals Leeds United on 17 March when they travel to Elland Road.

A trip to Wolves — where the Owls left 2-0 winners last season — awaits in late April before the season wraps up with a home match against Norwich City, who finished 8th last season.

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