SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY and Plymouth Argyle both stayed up by the skin of their teeth last term so they'll be desperate to avoid a similar sweat by getting the new Championship campaign off to a flying start.
The Owls stumbled out of the blocks last summer and looked doomed to the drop after winning just once in their first 18 league games. But they ended the campaign as one of the Championship's form teams, with a six-game unbeaten run steering them to safety.
Gaffer Danny Rohl has now had a pre-season to work with the squad and the German will be confident of building on that thrilling conclusion to the last campaign.
Plymouth Argyle also ended the season strongly, with just two defeats in their last six stopping them from making an instant return to League One. The club went through three managers last term and interim boss Neil Dewsnip was the man who kept them up.
But they went for a showbiz appointment ahead of the new campaign, with former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney taking the reins.
Rooney's last job at Birmingham City ended in failure, helping both Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday in the process, so he'll be out to rebuild his reputation on the south coast of England.
How the bookies view it: Owls backed to keep soaring
With home advantage it's no great surprise to see Sheffield Wednesday as 5/6 favourites at Befred when you consider how they ended the last campaign. Plymouth are 100/300 outsiders to get Rooney off to a flier while the draw pays 13/5.
Recent head to head: Another home banker?
Home advantage has been key in this fixture of late, with the last four meetings all ending in defeats for the away side. The last two clashes at Hillsborough have both ended in 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday victories. The overall head-to-head couldn't be tighter, with 17 wins apiece and 13 draws.
Players to watch: Windass out to pick up where he left off
Josh Windass played a key role in Sheffield Wednesday's great escape last term and netted in each of their last three games. He will be a goal threat again in the new campaign and is 11/5 for anytime scorer.
Morgan Whittaker was Plymouth Argyle's star man last term and netting 20 goals in a struggling team was quite an achievement. He has been linked with several clubs this summer but is still around for this opener and looks overpriced at 23/10 for anytime scorer.
Probable teams
Both managers have been busy in the transfer market this summer so it will be interesting to see how many new signings are unleashed on day one. Di’Shon Bernard is a doubt for Sheffield Wednesday in defence.
Sheffield Wednesday: Beadle, Palmer, Famewo, Iorfa, M Lowe, Bannan, Ingelsson, J Lowe, Kobacki, Musaba, Windass.
Plymouth Argyle: Hazard, Ogbetta, Szucs, Galloway, Palsson, Houghton, Randell, Cissoko, Whittaker, Issaka, Hardie.
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams to score has failed to land in the last three meetings so betting against that could pay off here at 10/11 with Betfred.
The players won't hold back on day one so the card markets could be worth a look too. Over 42.5 booking points pays evens at Betfred while Owls new boy Svante Ingelsson is 11/5 at Betfred to go in the book.
I'm expecting Sheffield Wednesday to fly out the traps with a big crowd behind them so backing them to win the first half appeals at 7/5.
This England Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth Argyle will be played on Aug 11, 2024 and kick off at 16:00. Check below for our tipsters best Sheffield Wednesday vs Plymouth Argyle prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
