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Sheffield Wednesday will be going in search of a winning start to the 2026/27 campaign when they face Bolton Wanderers in the first round of the Carabao Cup at Hillsborough on Saturday afternoon. Following an impressive summer off the pitch, optimism and excitement levels are as high as they have been in years at Hillsborough, with Owls supporters looking forward to the future under new ownership group Arise Capital Partners. Alongside making a series of ground improvements and upgrades at the club’s Middlewood Road training ground, Arise have also overseen the arrivals of 13 new signings already this summer, meaning everyone is confident Wednesday will put the misery of last season firmly behind them. With a whole host of new faces being drafted in over the last few weeks, manager Henrik Pedersen now faces the task of trying to work out his strongest starting XI for next Saturday’s League One opener against Leyton Orient, meaning a competitive outing to start the season is probably just what he needed. Ahead of their clash with Bolton, here is how The Star thinks Wednesday could line up... 1. GK: Joe Lumley After returning to Hillsborough earlier this summer, goalkeeper Lumley could make his second Owls debut. He had a brief loan spell in S6 last season, playing two games, after arriving on a seven-day emergency deal. He has been the Owls' main 'keeper during pre-season, meaning he is the most likely candidate to start the season opener. | Steve Ellis. 2. RB: Liam Palmer Retaining the captain's armband this summer, it would be a surprise to see Palmer omitted from the starting XI for the season opener. Yan Valery, who is still at the club, will rival the Owls academy graduate for the right-back berth, but his delayed return to pre-season training because of the World Cup could see Palmer get the nod for this one. | Getty Images 3. CB: Gabriel Otegbayo A regular throughout pre-season, taking advantage of Liam Cooper's and Ricardo Santos' fitness issues, Otegbayo could find himself starting the season curtain-raiser. He splits opinion among Wednesdayites, meaning he will be hoping to prove his doubters wrong this season. | Getty Images 4. CB: Sil Swinkels One of ten outfield signings to be added to the squad this summer, Swinkels, who has arrived at Hillsborough from Aston Villa, could be handed his debut from the start. He showed flashes of what he will bring to the table during pre-season, demonstrating an ability to bring the ball out from the back and produce line-breaking passes. | Getty Images