David Flower
Dailysports's expert
Stoke
Sheffield Wednesday
Betting Bonus up to $/€ 122
One of the matches in the 43rd round of the Championship will be played on Friday at the Bet365 Stadium, where local side Stoke City will host Sheffield Wednesday. I suggest betting on goals in this match with a good chance of success.
Match preview
Stoke City continues a desperate battle for survival, clinging to every point as the season draws to a close. After 42 rounds, the Potters are in 18th place in the standings with 47 points, just five points clear of the relegation zone. However, recent results are promising: two wins and two draws in the last four matches are a significant step forward at the right moment.
If the team maintains this fighting spirit, the chances for a calm end to the season will significantly increase. On the last matchday, the Potters played an away game against Cardiff City and secured a 1-0 victory. In 21 home games, Stoke City has achieved 7 wins and suffered 5 defeats.
Sheffield Wednesday initially approached the season with the goal of staying afloat in the Championship, not aiming for heroics. However, as the tournament progressed, the Owls suddenly raised their ambitions, entering the playoff race and even looking like a real contender for a top-6 finish. But the marathon distance set everything in its place — lacking stability and squad depth.
Now, Danny Röhl's team is settled in 14th place with 53 points, trailing sixth-placed Coventry City by ten points. With such a gap, a finishing sprint seems unlikely — most probably, Sheffield's season will end as a solid mid-table team. In their last match, the Owls lost 0-1 at home to Oxford United.
Probable lineups
- Stoke City: Johansson – Tchamadeu, Phillips, Rose, Gibson – Pearson, Baker, Pe, Moran, Seko – Al Hamadi
- Sheffield Wednesday: Charles – Sancho, Ihekwe, Famewo, Johnson – Charles, Bannan, Gassama, Windass, Inglesson – Smith
Match facts and head-to-head
- Sheffield Wednesday defeated the opponent 2-0 in the first round
- The bet on "Total over 2.5" has not hit in the last five matches
- The "Both teams to score" option hit in one of the last five matches
Prediction
Bookmakers offer odds of 2.31 on a home win in this match. We believe it's much more interesting to take "Total under 2.5" at odds of 1.77.
Betting Bonus up to $/€ 122
