Sheffield Wednesday vs. Middlesbrough Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips - bettingexpert
Sheffield Wednesday will host Middlesbrough at Hillsborough on 21 April 2025 at 15:00 in what promises to be an intriguing Championship clash. With only a few games left in the season, both teams have their sights set on finishing strong.
Sheffield Wednesday are currently languishing in 15th place with 53 points. Their form has been concerning, evidenced by just 2 points from their last 6 matches (LLDDL). Danny Röhl’s side will be hoping to turn their season around but face an uphill battle.
Middlesbrough, in contrast, sit in 7th place with 63 points and are eyeing a playoff spot. Michael Carrick’s men have a mixed recent form (LWLWW), but their overall better performance gives them the edge. Key players like Tommy Conway, their top scorer with 13 goals, will be vital.
Given Sheffield Wednesday’s recent form and injury troubles, Middlesbrough to win with a ‘Draw No Bet’ seems like a solid prediction.
Incorporating all these factors, Middlesbrough look likely to capitalize on Sheffield Wednesday’s vulnerabilities and secure a crucial win.
Sheffield Wednesday vs Middlesbrough Prediction & Betting tip
| Sheffield Wednesday vs Middlesbrough Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Middlesbrough to win with ‘Draw No Bet’ | 2.20 |
- Sheffield Wednesday are struggling, having picked up just 2 points from their last 6 matches.
- Middlesbrough are in better form, eyeing a playoff spot and coming off a recent streak of wins.
- Middlesbrough’s scoring consistency, having scored in 72% of their matches this season, gives them an edge.
With Sheffield Wednesday’s porous defence and Middlesbrough’s superior form, this betting tip offers a balanced yet promising avenue.
Sheffield Wednesday vs Middlesbrough Odds
| Sheffield Wednesday vs Middlesbrough Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Sheffield Wednesday win | 3.10 |
| Draw | 3.41 |
| Middlesbrough win | 2.20 |
Middlesbrough are the bookmakers’ favourites, reflecting their superior form and higher league position. A bet on Middlesbrough to win offers decent value, considering their recent performances and scoring consistency. The odds for a draw are also noteworthy, given the historical head-to-head results between these teams. With Sheffield Wednesday struggling to find their footing, those looking for value might consider the ‘Draw No Bet’ option in favour of Middlesbrough.
Sheffield Wednesday Team Analysis
Sheffield Wednesday Recent Performance
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stoke | Sheffield Wednesday | 2025-04-18 | Championship | 2-0 (Loss) |
| Sheffield Wednesday | Oxford | 2025-04-12 | Championship | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Blackburn | Sheffield Wednesday | 2025-04-08 | Championship | 2-2 (Draw) |
| Sheffield Wednesday | Hull | 2025-04-05 | Championship | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Cardiff | Sheffield Wednesday | 2025-03-29 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
Sheffield Wednesday have had a challenging run recently, showing a record of two draws and three losses in their last five matches.
- Recent Form: LLDDL
- Average goals scored in the last 5 games: 0.60
- Clean sheets in the last 5 games: 0
Their struggle to find the back of the net is evident, managing to score just 0.60 goals per game. Additionally, their defense hasn’t been as airtight, failing to secure a clean sheet in these fixtures. With only 2 points from a possible 15, Danny Röhl’s side will need to improve rapidly to end this streak.
Sheffield Wednesday Key Players
Sheffield Wednesday’s hopes rest heavily on Josh Windass, their top scorer with 11 goals this season. His knack for finding the back of the net will be crucial if they are to turn their fortunes around. Another player to watch is Callum Paterson, who will likely lead the attack. His physical presence and ability to hold the ball up can be pivotal in breaking down Middlesbrough’s defense.
In midfield, Stuart Armstrong’s experience and creativity could be key in transitioning play from defense to attack. Shea Charles, positioned alongside him, will need to shield the backline effectively.
Expected lineup for Sheffield Wednesday:
- Goalkeeper: Pierce Charles
- Defenders: Yan Valery, Michael Ihiekwe, Akin Famewo, Ryo Hatsuse
- Midfielders: Shea Charles, Stuart Armstrong, Josh Windass, Svante Ingelsson, Djeidi Gassama
- Forward: Callum Paterson
Sheffield Wednesday Suspensions & Injuries
Sheffield Wednesday currently have two significant injuries that could impact their squad depth and defensive solidity:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Di’Shon Bernard | Knee injury | Early May 2025 |
| Max Lowe | Knee injury | Late May 2025 |
These absences mean that manager Danny Röhl will have to rely on his available defenders to step up. With Bernard and Lowe both out, there is added pressure on Michael Ihiekwe and Akin Famewo to anchor the backline effectively. This could be challenging against a Middlesbrough side that has ample attacking threats. The lack of depth and rotation in defense might expose Sheffield Wednesday, especially considering their recent form and leakage of goals.
Sheffield Wednesday Tactics and Formation
Sheffield Wednesday Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Callum Paterson
- Midfield Trio: Shea Charles, Stuart Armstrong, Svante Ingelsson
- Defensive Setup: Michael Ihiekwe and Akin Famewo in centre-back roles.
Manager Danny Röhl seems to favour a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on a compact midfield and a lone striker up front. With Shea Charles and Stuart Armstrong anchoring the midfield, Sheffield aims to disrupt the opposition’s play and orchestrate counter-attacks.
Josh Windass and Djeidi Gassama will provide width, looking to supply Paterson with crosses. The emphasis will likely be on defensive stability, given their recent struggles at the back.
However, the lack of clean sheets and cohesion in recent matches indicates that Röhl’s side will have to remain vigilant to secure a positive result.
Middlesbrough Team Analysis
Middlesbrough Recent Performance
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesbrough | Plymouth | 2025-04-18 | Championship | 2-1 (Win) |
| Millwall | Middlesbrough | 2025-04-12 | Championship | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Middlesbrough | Leeds | 2025-04-08 | Championship | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Blackburn | Middlesbrough | 2025-04-04 | Championship | 0-2 (Win) |
| Middlesbrough | Oxford | 2025-03-29 | Championship | 2-1 (Win) |
Middlesbrough’s recent performances have been a mixed bag with a form of LWLWW, including crucial wins against Plymouth, Blackburn, and Oxford.
In their last five matches, the team has averaged 1.2 goals scored per game and secured one clean sheet, reflecting a moderate scoring streak and a mostly solid defense. Their recent form indicates that they are capable of bouncing back from losses, which could be vital in their push for playoff qualification.
With a more stable defense compared to Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesbrough will aim to capitalize on the home team’s struggles and continue their hunt for vital points.
Middlesbrough Key Players
Expected lineup for Middlesbrough:
- Goalkeeper: Mark Travers
- Defenders: Anfernee Dijksteel, Jonathan Howson, Rav van den Berg, Samuel Iling-Junior
- Midfielders: Aidan Morris, Hayden Hackney, Morgan Whittaker, Marcus Forss, Finn Azaz
- Forward: Tommy Conway
Middlesbrough will be looking towards their top scorer, Tommy Conway, to make the difference in this fixture. Conway has found the net 13 times this season and will be a constant threat to Sheffield Wednesday’s defense.
In midfield, Marcus Forss and Morgan Whittaker will play crucial roles in creating chances and maintaining possession. On the defensive end, Rav van den Berg and Jonathan Howson will be tasked with keeping Sheffield Wednesday’s attackers at bay.
The key individual battle to watch will be Tommy Conway against Sheffield Wednesday’s center-back pairing of Michael Ihiekwe and Akin Famewo.
Middlesbrough Suspensions & Injuries
Middlesbrough are dealing with several injuries ahead of their clash with Sheffield Wednesday, which could impact their squad depth and overall performance. Here’s a look at their injury list:
| Player | Injury | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Bangura | Achilles tendon injury | Early May 2025 |
| Solomon Brynn | Dislocated shoulder | Early May 2025 |
| Ben Doak | Thigh injury | Early May 2025 |
| Seny Dieng | Achilles tendon injury | Early May 2025 |
| Luke Ayling | Ankle injury | Early May 2025 |
| Neto Borges | Ankle injury | Early May 2025 |
With multiple key players sidelined, Middlesbrough’s bench strength and defensive solidity might be tested. These injuries could force Michael Carrick to rely on his reserve players and adjust his tactics to compensate for the absences.
Expect some opportunities for Sheffield Wednesday to exploit any gaps left by these injuries, especially in the defensive and midfield areas.
Middlesbrough Tactics and Formation
Middlesbrough’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Tommy Conway
- Midfield Quartet: Aidan Morris, Hayden Hackney, Marcus Forss, Morgan Whittaker
- Defensive Line: Anfernee Dijksteel, Jonathan Howson, Rav van den Berg, Samuel Iling-Junior
- Notable Strategy: Depend on a fluid attack and robust midfield play.
Middlesbrough’s 4-2-3-1 formation is designed to leverage their attacking prowess, with Tommy Conway leading the line up front. The midfield combination of Morris and Hackney provides stability, allowing Whittaker and Forss the freedom to create chances.
Despite several injuries, Michael Carrick will aim to maintain the team’s attacking fluidity and adapt defensively with available personnel. Expect them to exploit Sheffield Wednesday’s defensive struggles, especially given their recent form slump.
Sheffield Wednesday vs Middlesbrough Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesbrough | Sheffield Wednesday | 2024-12-26 | Championship | 3 – 3 (Draw) |
| Middlesbrough | Sheffield Wednesday | 2024-04-01 | Championship | 2 – 0 (Win) |
| Sheffield Wednesday | Middlesbrough | 2023-09-19 | Championship | 1 – 1 (Draw) |
| Middlesbrough | Sheffield Wednesday | 2021-04-24 | Championship | 3 – 1 (Win) |
| Sheffield Wednesday | Middlesbrough | 2020-12-29 | Championship | 2 – 1 (Win) |
In their last five encounters, Middlesbrough seems to hold the upper hand with two wins and two draws, while Sheffield Wednesday managed a solitary win.
Their most recent clash was a thrilling 3-3 draw, showing an evenly matched contest.
Both sides have been capable of finding the back of the net consistently over these encounters, making for competitive and entertaining fixtures.
Odds accurate as of 19/04/2025 15:01, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
