Stoke vs. Sheffield Wednesday Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 18 April 2025 - bettingexpert
This Championship clash sees Stoke City take on Sheffield Wednesday at the Bet365 Stadium on 18 April 2025 at 15:00. Stoke, currently 18th in the standings with 47 points, will be looking to secure points to move clear of the relegation zone. Sheffield Wednesday sits 14th with 53 points, yet their recent form has been disappointing, recording just 2 points in their last 5 games.
Stoke has been solid at home recently, with 2 wins and 2 draws in their last 4 matches. With Mark Robins’ side showing improved defensive organization, they will aim to continue this form. Danny Röhl’s Sheffield Wednesday, despite a 4-match unbeaten run away, has struggled lately.
Our match tip: Stoke to win – Draw No Bet. This aligns with their strong recent home form and Sheffield’s struggles. Expect a tight contest, but Stoke’s edge at home could prove decisive.
Stoke vs Sheffield Wednesday Prediction & Betting tip
Our recommended betting tip for this match is Stoke to win – Draw No Bet. This prediction is based on Stoke City’s strong recent home form and Sheffield Wednesday’s current struggles. Stoke has been solid at the Bet365 Stadium with 2 wins and 2 draws in their last 4 home matches, while Sheffield Wednesday has only managed to earn 2 points from their last 5 games.
| Stoke vs Sheffield Wednesday Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Stoke to win – Draw No Bet | 2.20 |
- Stoke has been strong at home: 2 wins and 2 draws in their last 4 matches indicate they have a solid home advantage.
- Sheffield Wednesday is struggling: Gaining just 2 points in their last 5 games shows a dip in form for the away side.
- Improved defensive organization for Stoke: Mark Robins’ side has been more solid at the back recently, adding to their chances of securing a win.
Expect a close game, but Stoke’s home edge could prove decisive in this Championship clash.
Stoke vs Sheffield Wednesday Odds
Here’s a look at the betting odds for the upcoming Championship clash:
| Stoke vs Sheffield Wednesday Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Stoke | 2.20 |
| Draw | 3.36 |
| Sheffield Wednesday | 3.15 |
Stoke, as the bookmakers’ favorite, is given odds of 2.20 to secure a win at home. A draw sits at 3.36, while an away win for Sheffield Wednesday is at 3.15.
Stoke’s strong home form and improved defensive organization make them a solid pick. However, Sheffield Wednesday’s recent performance slump suggests they may struggle to clinch a win.
Stoke Team Analysis
Stoke Recent Performance
Stoke’s recent performance has shown remarkable resilience and improvement, especially in their defensive organization. In their last five matches, they have managed two wins, two draws, and one loss, demonstrating solid form heading into this fixture. Here’s a quick look at their recent results:
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiff | Stoke | 2025-04-12 | Championship | 0-1 (Win) |
| Stoke | Luton | 2025-04-08 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Preston | Stoke | 2025-04-05 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Stoke | Queens Park Rangers | 2025-03-29 | Championship | 3-1 (Win) |
| Millwall | Stoke | 2025-03-15 | Championship | 1-0 (Loss) |
Recent Form: WDDWL
Stoke have averaged 1.20 goals per game over their last five matches and managed one clean sheet. Their defense seems more solid with better organization, which has contributed significantly to their improved form.
Mark Robins’ side sits 18th in the table, and their recent performances are crucial as they aim to climb the standings and secure their Championship status.
Stoke Key Players
Stoke’s key players this season have been pivotal to their mid-table fight. Lewis Baker, their top scorer with 7 goals, continues to be a crucial figure in the attacking midfield role. His vision and knack for finding the back of the net will be essential against Sheffield Wednesday.
Another player to watch is Viktor Johansson. The goalkeeper is expected to start and has contributed to Stoke’s more organized defense, managing one clean sheet in the last five games.
Expected lineup for Stoke:
- Goalkeeper: Viktor Johansson
- Defenders: Junior Tchamadeu, Ashley Phillips, Ben Wilmot, Eric Junior Bocat
- Midfielders: Jordan Thompson, Wouter Burger, Million Manhoef, Lewis Baker, Joon-ho Bae
- Center forward: Ali Al-Hamadi
Stoke Suspensions & Injuries
At the moment, Stoke City doesn’t have any players suspended. However, they are dealing with a few injuries that could impact team selection for the match against Sheffield Wednesday.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Souleymane Sidibe | Muscle injury | Late April 2025 |
| Josh Wilson-Esbrand | Leg injury | Late April 2025 |
| Enda Stevens | Knock injury | About a week |
These absences particularly leave Stoke with fewer options in defense, which might force Coach Mark Robins to rely on younger or less experienced players to fill the gaps. The return dates suggest that they might miss this critical match but be available for the following fixtures.
Stoke Tactics and Formation
Stoke City Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Ali Al-Hamadi
- Al-Hamadi will spearhead the attack, looking to exploit Sheffield Wednesday’s defensive weaknesses.
- Midfield Trio:
- Right Wing: Million Manhoef
- Attacking Midfield: Lewis Baker
- Left Wing: Joon-Ho Bae
- Defensive Strength:
- The central defensive partnership of Ashley Phillips and Ben Wilmot has been solid, with 1 clean sheet in the last five games.
- Notable Strategy:
- Strong home form with consistent defensive organisation; expect a more disciplined approach aiming to control the midfield and create scoring opportunities through quick transitions.
Expect Stoke to leverage their improved home form and ensure a tight defensive structure, hindering Sheffield Wednesday’s forward play.
Sheffield Wednesday Team Analysis
Sheffield Wednesday Recent Performance
Sheffield Wednesday has had a tough run recently, managing just 2 points from their last 5 matches. Their form reads LDDLL, indicating their struggle to secure wins.
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Sheffield United | 2025-03-16 | Championship | 0-1 (Loss) |
Sheffield Wednesday has struggled defensively, failing to maintain any clean sheets in their last 5 games. The team has averaged just 0.60 goals per match recently, which highlights their attacking woes. With such form, Sheffield Wednesday will need to find a way to improve if they are to secure points from this fixture.
Sheffield Wednesday Key Players
Expected lineup for Sheffield Wednesday:
- Goalkeeper: Pierce Charles
- Defenders: Yan Valery, Michael Ihiekwe, Akin Famewo, Marvin Johnson
- Midfielders: Shea Charles, Stuart Armstrong, Djeidi Gassama, Josh Windass, Anthony Musaba
- Forward: Callum Paterson
Key players to watch for Sheffield Wednesday include Josh Windass, their top scorer with 11 goals this season. Windass will be a central figure in their attack, aiming to break through Stoke’s defense.
Stuart Armstrong and Djeidi Gassama will also play crucial roles in midfield, looking to create opportunities and support Windass up front.
A key battle will be between Callum Paterson, leading the attack, and Stoke’s defenders, particularly Ben Wilmot. This clash could be decisive in determining the outcome of the match.
Sheffield Wednesday Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| DiShon Bernard | Knee injury | Late April 2025 |
| Max Lowe | Knee injury | Late May 2025 |
Sheffield Wednesday are facing some challenges with key players sidelined due to injuries. DiShon Bernard and Max Lowe are currently out with knee injuries, impacting the defense significantly.
Bernard’s absence weakens their central defense, making it more vulnerable against Stoke’s attacking players. Max Lowe’s prolonged absence further complicates their defensive setup.
The unavailability of these key defenders could make stopping Stoke’s offense more difficult and might necessitate tactical adjustments from coach Danny Röhl to shore up the backline.
Sheffield Wednesday Tactics and Formation
Sheffield Wednesday Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: Predominantly, 4-2-3-1, with occasional variations like 5-4-1 and 4-4-2.
- Key Forward: Callum Paterson spearheads the attack.
- Midfield Pivot: Defensive solidity comes from Shea Charles and Anthony Musaba.
- Attacking Midfield Trio: Josh Windass (right wing), Stuart Armstrong (attacking midfield), and Djeidi Gassama (left wing).
Sheffield Wednesday’s versatility in switching formations shows Danny Röhl’s tactical flexibility. Their defense, however, might struggle with notable injuries, necessitating a more cautious approach. Expect Sheffield Wednesday to focus on breaking up Stoke’s play through central midfield and counter-attacks, leveraging Windass’ speed on the wings. Their defense, despite being weakened, aims to maintain compactness and mitigate Stoke’s attacking threats.
Stoke vs Sheffield Wednesday Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheffield Wednesday | Stoke City | 2024-12-21 | Championship | 2-0 (Loss) |
| Sheffield Wednesday | Stoke City | 2024-04-13 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Stoke City | Sheffield Wednesday | 2023-12-09 | Championship | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Stoke City | Sheffield Wednesday | 2021-02-16 | Championship | 1-0 (Win) |
| Sheffield Wednesday | Stoke City | 2020-11-28 | Championship | 0-0 (Draw) |
Stoke and Sheffield Wednesday have had a competitive history over their last five meetings.
Stoke has managed just one win, while Sheffield Wednesday has secured two victories. The other two matches ended in draws.
Notably, less than 2.5 goals have been scored in 78% of these encounters, indicating closely-fought, low-scoring affairs.
Odds accurate as of 16/04/2025 15:02, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
