Sheffield Wednesday started the new Championship campaign where they left off under gaffer Danny Rohl and hopes are high as they head to Sunderland for what promising to be an entertaining game.
The Owls looked doomed to the drop after a nightmare start to last season but young German manager Rohl someone revived them and safety was secured thanks to a six-game unbeaten run down the home stretch.
That momentum has continued into this campaign with Plymouth battered 4-0 on day one in the Championship as two bets came up for me. That was followed by a 2-1 win away to Hull in the Carabao Cup so Sheffield Wednesday's confidence will be high heading to the North East.
Sunderland have also made a decent start under new manager Regis Le Bris though, with the Black Cats claiming a strong 2-0 win on the road in their first game at Cardiff City.
There was disappointment in midweek as they lost at Preston in the Carabao Cup so the Frenchman will be looking for his players to bounce back with a win in front of what will be a huge crowd at the Stadium of Light.
How the bookies view it: Flying Owls look overpriced
With Sheffield Wednesday in such fine form, I'm surprised to see them as Betfred's outsiders for this one at 23/10. Sunderland are 6/5 favourites with home advantage and the draw pays 12/5.
Recent head to head: More joy on the road?
Home advantage didn't count for much in this fixture last season, with Sunderland easing to a 3-0 win at Hillsborough before Sheffield Wednesday got their revenge with a 2-0 victory at the Stadium of Light.
Sheffield Wednesday will be out for revenge after Sunderland beat them in the League One play-off semi-finals three seasons ago, with a 1-0 win for Sunderland at the Stadium of Light ultimately proving decisive.
Players to watch: Jack's the lad for Sunderland
I'm surprised Jack Clarke is still with Sunderland as I thought Premier League suitors would have snapped up the exciting winger by now. He scored the clincher against Cardiff last weekend and is 21/10 for another goal here. Bet365 also price him a tempting evens for either a goal or an assist.
Josh Windass delivered for me against Plymouth as he grabbed his first goal of the new season. The attacking midfielder also scored in the last three games of last term and he's a little overpriced at 3/1 for a goal here.
Probable line-ups
Former Manchester United kid Charlie McNeill pressed his claims for a Sheffield Wednesday start by netting a double in the midweek cup tie. Both managers made changes for those games but should pick similar teams to their Championship openers after impressive wins.
Sunderland: Patterson, Cirkin, O'Nien, Hume, Alese, Neil, Bellingham, Browne, Roberts, Clarke, Mayenda.
Sheffield Wednesday: Beadle, M Lowe, Bernard, Iorfa, Valery, Bannan, Ingelsson, Gassama, Musaba, Windass, J Lowe.
Anything else catch the eye?
With both teams impressing in their Championship opener and possessing plenty of firepower, we should see goals at both ends in this game. Over 2.5 goals looks decent value at 10/11 and if you combine that with BTTS the odds increase to 6/5.
There's not much between these teams so I'm expecting a close game and the half-time draw appeals at 23/20.
With a big crowd expected, it should fire up the players and we might see a few cards. Luke O'Neil always gets stuck in for the Black Cats and he's a tempting 3/1 to go into the book.
This England Championship match between Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday will be played on Aug 18, 2024 and kick off at 12:00. Check below for our tipsters best Sunderland vs Sheffield Wednesday prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
