Bournemouth v Sheffield Wednesday Betting Tip 1 – 18 April 2014

Championship Tips

There were many teams touted to be challenging for promotion at the beginning of the season but one side who were definitely not mentioned were Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth. The Cherries have surprised many with their excellent form in the second half of the season which has seen them head into the last four games with an outside chance of finishing in the top six. They have won five of their last six games in the Championship with their only blemish coming in their most recent game away to Yeovil which they could only draw. It means they are two points behind sixth but with a further two sides between themselves and that final play-off place. Combined with an inferior goal difference to the sides above them, you would think they have to win three of their last four to have any chance.

For much of the first half of the season it looked like Sheffield Wednesday would be one of the favourites to finish in the bottom three but they have turned their fortunes around since Stuart Gray took over from Dave Jones and are basically assured of another season at this level. Things have tailed off of late, though, and they have won only once in their last six. They do come into this game in excellent goalscoring form having managed successive 3-3 draws against Nottingham Forest and Blackburn. The point against Rovers would have been more satisfactory for Gray as they came from two behind to rescue a draw whilst it was the opposite when they took a two goal lead at the City Ground only to be pegged back late on

One huge factor in Bournemouth’s recent run of form is the partnership of Lewis Grabban and Yann Kermogant. The two have become a fearsome duo up against Championship defences since Kermogant arrived at the club from Charlton in January. He has scored six goals in 12 whilst his strike partner is also averaging close to one in two with 20 goals to his name, including five in his last five.

Sheffield Wednesday have struggled on their travels for much of the season and have managed only three wins from their 21 games thus far. It’s an area which will need to be improved if they are to do anything other than survive come the start of the new campaign. Two of those three successes came in successive games – against Reading and Huddersfield – in February, but since then they managed only a point from a possible 15.

One of these clubs have far more of a need for these three points than the other but it’s an intriguing match as Wednesday, now safe, look like they are playing without any real pressure and have entertained in their last couple of games. Bournemouth do have one of the most potent partnerships in the league and that might just see them get a crucial victory in the search for an unlikely back to back promotion.

Bournemouth 4/5 @ Bet365