After taking 16 points from a possible 21 towards the start of 2017, Sheffield Wednesday threw themselves into Championship play-off contention, but a run of just one win in the last six has left their top six ambitions hanging by a thread.

The Owls’ latest result was a 2-0 home defeat to fellow promotion hopefuls Reading at Hillsborough on Friday night, but despite the loss they stayed in sixth position as another result went their way.

Seventh-placed Fulham are just a point behind but were beaten 3-1 at Craven Cottage against a lowly Wolves, although Norwich City and Preston North End closed the gap to the Yorkshire outfit to five points with a win against Barnsley and draw against Blackburn Rovers respectively.

With just eight league games remaining, the Owls must turn their form around if they are to secure a place in the end of season lottery.

Here are three key fixtures in Sheffield Wednesday’s run-in that could decide their season…

Newcastle United (H) - April 8

Because of the size of the club, Newcastle were the team that everybody in the Championship wanted to beat this season, and Sheffield Wednesday have already done that after picking up a 1-0 win at St James’ Park over the festive period thanks to a goal from Glenn Loovens.

With their play-off hopes now looking in jeopardy, they will need a similar performance when Rafa Benitez’s side come to Hillsborough next month, especially as the Magpies have promotion aspirations of their own.

Derby County (H) - April 22

Following a run of just one win in nine games, Derby took the decision to sack manager Steve McClaren in order to try and salvage their faint hopes of reaching the play-off positions.

They quickly appointed Gary Rowett as his successor, and had it not been for a last-gasp equaliser from arch-rivals Nottingham Forest on Saturday, the Rams would have been just seven points behind Wednesday with eight matches remaining.

A new boss usually signals improved results for a side, and Rowett’s men could be well in play-off contention by the time they travel to Hillsborough next month.

Fulham (H) - May 7

If the season was to end tomorrow and this was the final fixture, it would be absolutely huge. As it is, it could still be the biggest game of the day as the Championship campaign comes to a close in May.

The Cottagers lie one point behind Wednesday in sixth position after failing to take advantage of the Owls’ defeat to Reading on Friday night, and they know they might be travelling to Hillsborough on the final day needing a win to secure their spot in the play-off positions, and possibly even to overhaul their hosts as a result.

Do you agree, Sheffield Wednesday fans? Let us know below.