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Sheffield Wednesday vs Southampton betting tips:
- Under 2.5 goals in the match – 4/5 with Bet365
- Full Time Result Draw – 12/5 Bet365
- Under 4.5 cards – 4/5 with Unibet
Sheffield Wednesday will aim to build on their dramatic play-off promotion from League One when they welcome Southampton to Hillsborough on Friday (8pm, Sky Sports Main Event).
Both sides enter the season with new managers at the helm and football betting sites can barely split the pair in the latest match odds, with Southampton the slight favourites.
Both managers take control of their first competitive match on the opening night of the campaign – Xisco Munoz has taken the reins for the Owls while Russell Martin was appointed as the new Saints manager back in June.
Wednesday vs Southampton tips: Tight-knit tussle anticipated
Despite the sides being two divisions apart last season, betting sites are only slightly leaning towards the visitors.
The last seven meetings between these clubs featured fewer than three goals, so don’t be surprised if we see a low-scoring event or perhaps even a stalemate to commence the season.
Southampton are fourth favourites for promotion, but Wednesday will be no pushovers as they are vying for an impactful return to England’s second tier and potentially even a second consecutive play-off place.
Both teams come into this one looking to settle in a new division and start proceedings in a positive manner, but a combination of new managers and signings could contribute to both sides struggling to click from the off, which could make for a slow start.
Tip: Under 2.5 goals at 4/5 with Bet365
Expect a fierce battle in Yorkshire
Southampton are coming off the back of a dismal Premier League campaign which saw them rooted to the foot of the table at the season’s conclusion.
The south coast side will be searching for stability first and foremost in a division renowned for being difficult to escape from and a point at a tough venue like Hillsborough could set the precedent for a successful campaign.
Saints were winless in their last 13 Premier League games, but will be spurred on by a sell-out away end for the lengthy trip up north. Contrary to this, they will be greeted by a buoyant Hillsborough crowd full of optimism following their promotion.
Ex-Watford boss Xisco has big shoes to fill following the departure of fans' favourite Darren Moore. The Spaniard will want to continue his predecessor’s fine form that was epitomised by Josh Windass’ 123rd-minute winner in the play-off final.
Despite both sides starting afresh this season, they have endured less than impressive pre-season campaigns. Wednesday suffered four defeats in seven games, while Southampton only managed a solitary win from their five outings.
Confidence could be scarce within both camps and with an array of new faces joining the sides, alongside new managers, it could be a case of avoiding defeat for both.
Witness a technical match-up in the season’s opener
Season openers always provide tension, nerves and potentially a plethora of misplaced passes following the off-season. However, with it being the start of a 46-game slog, no player will want to find themselves within the referee’s notebook on match-day one.
Martin has managed to maintain the services of captain James Ward-Prowse – for now – and with him being the beating heart of Saints’ midfield, we expect all the action to be centred around the England international.
Ward-Prowse only tallied up six bookings in 38 matches last season, whilst his counterpart Barry Bannan picked up five in 41 games in League One. In addition to this, both sides averaged under two cards a game last season (Wednesday 1.52 and Southampton 1.94), making the value on under 4.5 cards even more appealing.
The referee for the Championship curtain-raiser is Robert Madley, and the Englishman hasn't distributed more than four cards in his last six outings, so we expect this one to follow suit.
Tip: Under 4.5 cards at 4/5 with Unibet
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Last Updated: 14th March 2024, 07:22 AM
