SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY v BIRMINGHAM CITY
Friday 10th February 2017 – Kickoff: 1945hrs
Football – England – Championship Betting Tips
Sheffield Wednesday maintained their push for a play-off place in the Championship last weekend with a 1-0 win away at struggling Wigan Athletic, which has lifted The Owls into the top six of the English second tier.
They now look forward to holding home advantage at Hillsborough on Friday night when they take on a beleaguered Birmingham City as the home side chase a fifth home win from their last six with a win over The Blues. As this is the only fixture on Friday night, Sheffield Wednesday can reduce the points deficit to just two behind Yorkshire rivals Leeds United.
Sheffield Wednesday’s home record stands at a very reasonable looking 9-1-3 18/11 and they’ve won four of their last five on home turf with wins gained over Preston North End, Barnsley, Rotherham United and Huddersfield Town.
Visitors Birmingham City seem intent on shooting themselves in the foot as the saga continues, but this time it’s the new owners rather than the players that have completely messed up; the new regime swiftly despatched former Gary Rowett, who had made slow but steady progress at St Andrews (and on a rather tight budget I might add), and instead installed untried and inexperienced Gianfranco Zola.
A ludicrous and non-sensical decision, as Blues under Rowett were on the fringes of the play-off pack at the time of his sacking. To rub salt further into the wound, Birmingham had just recorded a 2-1 home win over Ipswich Town, and Rowettt was rewarded with being shown the door shortly afterwards.
Birmingham subsequently then went eight Championship games without a win until last weekend when they beat Fulham 1-0. I personally want Zola to go and Rowett re-instated, so if they lose on Friday night I wont be too downhearted!
Pick: Sheffield Wednesday to win @ 1.83 Betfair
