17th May 2017 Kickoff: 1945hrs Sheffield Wednesday v Huddersfield – Football – England – Championship Playoff Semi-Final There was absolutely nothing to separate the all Yorkshire playoff semi-final first leg as Huddersfield drew a blank at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday. The two – who finished fourth and fifth respectively in the Championship –will go at it again on Wednesday at Hillsborough hoping to reach Wembley for a chance to play in the top flight of Enlgish football. Considering these two could only be split by goal difference after 46 games it probably should probably have been no surprise to see how tight the first leg was, and we can probably expect more of the same tomorrow.
Sheffield Wednesday were promotion bridesmaids last year having surprised many by reaching the playoff final only to lose out to Hull. Armed with that experience and the considerable backing of their board, the Owls are within touching distance of the Premier League once again. Automatic promotion never really looked likely for Wednesday this term but they have spent the majority of the season in and around the top six and will feel that the experienced gained from their run to Wembley last year will stand them in good stead for what they hope will be another two games. Their home record is more than decent with 15 wins and two draws from their 23 games in the regular season, one of those wins coming in a 2-0 success over this opponent back in January.
Huddersfield were the surprise package of this year’s Championship, much like Sheffield Wednesday were last season. David Wagner was taking charge of the club for his first full season and he’s been able to work wonders with what has been a relatively cheap squad to assemble. The Terriers had been the most likely club to challenge the top two of Newcastle and Brighton but their challenged petered out towards the end of the campaign which is too be expected considering the difference in resources. Despite having finished the regular season with six defeats in their last 10, they were all but assured of the playoff finish a couple of months ago such was their form in the earlier part of the season. Their form on the road was not the best, however, and with nine defeats on their travels already it will be a concern for Wagner going into what will be a very difficult encounter.
Sheffield Wednesday v Huddersfield Betting Tip
Sheffield Wednesday seem to have the magic formula when it comes to these games as they have won both meetings between the two clubs this season without conceding a goal. The record extends even further than that, however, as Wednesday boast an unbeaten record of eight against this opponent. That may count for little as the two face off tomorrow but what will give the Owls an edge – in addition to playing the second leg at home – is the fact they have recent experience of this environment with their semi-final win over Brighton 12 months ago. As well as Huddersfield have done this season they are entering new territory and it will be a test of their mentality as much as anything else.
We can expect this game to be as competitive as the one played on Sunday and as both teams were amongst the lowest scorers in the top half of the Championship, it may well be another tight affair. That’s where I see Wednesday’s experience coming to the fore and making the most of the few situations that are likely to come their way. With such a quick turnaround at this stage of the season it is a psychological test as much as anything else so back the home team to come out on top.
Sheffield Wednesday 5/4 @ Skybet
