Huddersfield v Sheffield Wednesday Betting Tips: Owls not be underestimated

Sunday’s Championship play-off action sees two Yorkshire teams go head-to-head as Sheffield Wednesday make the relatively short trip to take on Huddersfield at the John Smith’s Stadium. Having finished the regular season level on points in 4th and 5th, this pair could be closely matched; however, at the prices, one team stands out far more than the other.

From a form perspective, these two ended the regular season rather differently; Huddersfield, having occupied 3rd spot for a long time, slipped up numerous times on the run in, winning just one of their last five, before eventually finishing 5th. On the other hand, Sheffield Wednesday went on a fine run of six wins on the bounce before finally losing to Fulham on the final day – a result which saw them finish above Sunday’s opponents on goal difference.

It is in fact the visitors superior goal difference, or more their superior defensive record, that could act as the catalyst here. Huddersfield are certainly not the most expansive side, nor are they the biggest scorers, so Wednesday’s useful back-line could hold them in good stead. With this in mind, backing the visitors to come out on top makes plenty of sense.

Of the teams that have made the play-offs, Carlos Carvhal’s Wednesday are undoubtedly the surest at the back and have conceded far less goals than their three rivals. On top of this, the Owls have also kept more clean sheets than the rest of the play-off lot. As far as clean sheets go, Wednesday have been particularly impressive on the road and have managed to shut their opponents out on eight occasions, including when visiting the John Smith’s Stadium earlier in the campaign. Not only are Carvahal’s men efficient at the back, but they’ve also been able to take advantage at the other end more often than not, particularly on their travels, having failed to score in just four of their 23 away matches this season. In fact, during the regular season, no Championship team failed to score less times on the road than Wednesday.

What is also impressive about this Sheffield Wednesday side is the fact that, during the regular season, they averaged just 3.74 shots on target against per match. Only champions Newcastle were able to lay claim to a better record in this department. Considering that Huddersfield have often struggled in the final third, this stat is particularly positive.

As touched on above, although Huddersfield have enjoyed a good season, they offer less going forward than any of the other three teams in the play-offs and it is this lack of firepower that could see them struggle, especially against the astute defence of Wednesday. Coming into this match, David Wagner’s men have scored just three goals in their last five and just one in their last three. In addition, they failed to score both home and away against Sheffield Wednesday this season and lost both matches. Although such a record doesn’t completely discount them here, they really must do a lot more if they’re to come out on top.

An additional bet that catches the eye ahead of this one is ‘Sheffield Wednesday to Score First’. The visitors have made a habit of taking the lead of late, especially on the road, while they also scored first both home and away against Huddersfield during the regular campaign. Wednesday come into this match having scored first in each of their last four on the road, as well as in seven of their last ten away matches. If the visiting side are capable of keeping things nice and tight, which they often are, it would be no surprise at all to see them upset the hosts by notching first.

All in all, these are two decent sides, sides who’re certainly worthy of their place in the play-offs, however, Sheffield Wednesday are simply expected to have that little bit more about them and it is their superior rearguard that can help them to secure a positive result in this first leg.

More play-off tips can be found here.