Sheffield Wednesday v Huddersfield: Owls poised to reach Wembley
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The race for the Premier League continues tonight as Sheffield Wednesday host Huddersfield in the second-leg of their Championship play-off at Hillsborough.
And the odds suggest the Owls are well-placed to make it to Wembley.
The first-leg was a fairly tame 0-0 affair, so while the tie is still finely-poised, the form book really does back the hosts.
After a dodgy March, Wednesday flew into the play-offs with six straight wins, a run only interrupted by conceding a late goal to similarly high-flying Fulham on the final day.
Huddersfield meanwhile, saw hopes of automatic promotion evaporate, as they ended the campaign with just two wins from ten.
David Wagner’s men have a pretty poor record in the last couple of seasons against Wednesday too.
The Terriers haven’t won any of their last three meetings at Hillsborough, while the Owls have claimed each of the last four league clashes.
So, the 23/20 on the hosts to win this one in 90 minutes certainly appeals.
Huddersfield are 13/5 to win the game in normal time, with the draw – and subsequently extra-time 23/10.
The Terriers’ major issue this term has been goals, or rather, the lack of.
Only one side in the top 12 scored fewer times this term, and Huddersfield netted a full 29 goals fewer than fellow play-off contenders Fulham.
And having already failed to score in three meetings versus Wednesday this season, the 12/5 on a home win looks great value.
Plus, seven of the last eight meetings – including all three this term – have seen under 2.5 goals. So Wednesday to win and under 2.5 should prove popular too at 16/5.
The final question of course, is who will be the hero for Wednesday?
Fernando Forestieri, no less.
The talismanic Italian has been a fiend for Huddersfield of late, notching in each of their last three regular-season clashes.
We’re 9/2 on the striker to score first, but the pick looks to be Forestieri to score and Wednesday to win at 3/1.
And even if Huddersfield do contain the Wednesday hotshot, they’ll have former star Jordan Rhodes to deal with too.
If you fancy the Scot to punish his old team in the cruellest possible way, we’re 10/3 on Rhodes to score and Wednesday to win.
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
