Leeds v Sheffield Wednesday
Saturday 13th April 1730hrs
Football – England – Championship
Pick Leeds
Bookmaker Marathon Bet
Odds: 4/7 (odds taken 20.35 GMT, Thursday 11th April)
Leeds moved back into the top two and automatic promotion spots in midweek but it’s a battle that will go to the wire. Sheffield Wednesday have not given up all hope of a top six finish but it’s likely they’ll have to win out from here to have a chance.
Championship Betting at Marathon Bet
Leeds Preview
With Norwich looking like they are almost certain of finishing in the top two, it’s now turning into a battle between Leeds and their Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United for that all important second automatic promotion place. Leeds hold the advantage currently, but it’s an ever so slender one by a single point. Tuesday’s 2-0 win away to Preston seen them move back ahead of the Blades having fallen behind them at the weekend – and it’s expected that we’ll see plenty of changes between now and the end of the season with five games to go. Both clubs have favourable run-ins so it’s very much going to be about who holds their nerve better, particularly over Easter weekend in a week’s time which is often so important to a club’s finishing position. Leeds will be hoping to go into those games still in second spot and are likely only going to do that by taking all three points at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. Their form at Elland Road has been so impressive all season but they lost their penultimate game at home to the other Sheffield team and can ill-afford another defeat this weekend. Overall, Leeds have the joint-second best home record in the league so they certainly know how to pick up points at Elland Road and it’s sure to be bouncing on Saturday.
Key-Facts – Leeds v Sheffield Wednesday
- Leeds reclaimed second spot in the battle for automatic promotion in midweek and will be looking to stay there
- Sheffield Wednesday have been rejuvenated under Steve Bruce but looks like falling short of the playoffs
- Only leaders Norwich have won more games at home than Leeds whilst Wednesday have won just six of their 20m away games
Sheffield Wednesday Preview
Steve Bruce has done an excellent job since taking charge at Sheffield Wednesday and the only regret that the club’s supporters would have about his appointment is that he wasn’t in charge for more of the season. The Owls were languishing in the bottom half of the table for much of the season before Bruce arrived and to even have the remotest chance of finishing in the top six is testament to how good a job the manager has done. Wednesday would have to make up a gap of six points (essentially seven because of the goal difference) on Bristol City so it’s certainly unlikely and they will rue last weekend’s defeat at home to Aston Villa as perhaps the game that put paid to their faint hopes. That said, it was their first defeat since the 12th of January which is quite remarkable. It’s a difficult run-in they face but one will definitely have a bearing on how the top six does finish as they face three of the sides currently within it in their remaining five games. If Wednesday are to fall short it will certainly give Bruce more of an idea of what is required for them to be challenging next season.
Leeds v Sheffield Wednesday Betting Advice
Yorkshire derbies are amongst the most passionate in England and this one is going to be no different. Leeds have to cope with the pressure of going for automatic promotion on top of that which is going to their test their mettle whilst Wednesday are in that unenviable position of knowing that should they take points off Leeds it will be a boost to their bitterest rivals in the fight for the top two. There’s plenty storylines surrounding this one and that’s even before we get to the football itself.
It was a 1-1 draw at Hillsborough earlier in the season and extended Leeds winless run against Wednesday to three matches. Their last victory in this fixture came over two years ago so it’s an opponent they do not relish facing. Wednesday have struggled on their travels this season, though, winning just six of their 20 matches. With so much at stake for Leeds and coming off a morale boosting win in midweek, they may have just about enough to get three points that takes them one game closer to a return to the Premier League.
