Sheffield Wednesday look to pick up a much-needed victory to end a run of poor form as they play host to South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley at Hillsborough Stadium. Sheffield Wednesday have missed out on promotion to the Premier League via the Play-Offs for the past two seasons. However, they may find themselves in a fight against relegation to League One this term unless they can turn around their form quickly.
English Championship – Hillsborough, Sheffield Saturday 28th October – 12:30 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 3 at Ladbrokes |
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Sheffield United
BarnsleyThey are currently on a run of just one win from their last six league games, including four defeats in five, and sit in sixteenth position with sixteen points after thirteen matches. That is ten places below and five points less than at the same stage last season. Their run of poor form includes defeats away at bottom of the table Bolton Wanderers and ninth-placed Derby County in the past two weeks. Despite this, they will hold on to hope of stringing together a run of results to lift them up the table thanks to a decent home record. As hosts, they have lost just once in six and beat high-flying Leeds United 3-0 in their most recent home league match. Recent League Form – LLWLLD.
Barnsley
Barnsley are looking to consolidate their place in the Championship this term, after finishing fourteenth last season. However, they also have less points than they did at this stage last season and are just two points above the drop zone. Inconsistent form has seen them win just once in their last seven in the league. Three of those have been draws and they have lost three. Defeat at home to Hull City last weekend was their first loss in four, with their most recent away fixture being a 3-1 win at Millwall at the end of September. Scoring goals has been one of their biggest problems this season, with only four teams in the Championship scoring less than them. Those four teams are all below Barnsley, and second from bottom Sunderland have netted one more. Despite this statistic, they have netted five in their last three league matches. Recent League Form – LDWDLL.
Head to Head
In twenty-six meetings since 1997, including two friendlies, Sheffield Wednesday hold the advantage with thirteen wins. Barnsley have six victories, and there have been seven draws. At home, Sheffield Wednesday have won ten, drawn one, and lost just one against Barnsley in this time. In fact, Wednesday have won the last three as hosts in this fixture. Excluding friendlies, Sheffield Wednesday are unbeaten in the last eight meetings. Barnsley’s last victory in this fixture is also their sole win at Hillsborough and came in February 2009. There have been five red cards shown in the last three meetings at Hillsborough, with Wednesday receiving two and Barnsley three.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Even though both sides are struggling to find form, Sheffield Wednesday are the better team based on stats from recent seasons. This makes them the obvious betting favourite here. Ladbrokes have the hosts priced at 4/6. Barnsley are at 15/4 at Ladbrokes, and the draw is priced at 3 at Ladbrokes. Sheffield Wednesday have won their last three at home to Barnsley and we predict they will make it four in a row here.
They eased past an extremely good Leeds side in their last home match and, despite their poor away record, they are still a top team in this division. Barnsley have found it tough on the road this term and we think they will struggle again. Statistically, both teams should score in this match. Both have found the net in four of the last six meetings, and they will both be looking to attack in what is a fierce local rivalry.
Both Teams to Score is priced at 8/11, with BTTS and Wednesday to win at odds of 12/5. Wednesday’s top scorer Gary Hooper has netted five goals in their last four home games, and should be top of the list when it comes to those who like to bet on goal scorer markets. Hooper is 11/10 to score anytime, 11/2 to score two or more, and 25/1 to bag a hat-trick.
Top Betting Tip
We believe Sheffield Wednesday will prove to be too strong for their South Yorkshire rivals here, so our top betting tip is a home win. This is priced at 7/10 with Betway. Our next best is Gary Hooper to score anytime, priced at 11/10.