- Middlesbrough have a solid home record in the Championship (W10, D6, L5).
- Sheffield Wednesday have a poor away record in the Championship (W1, D5, L15).
- Sheffield Wednesday have only scored 0.67 goals per away game in the Championship, conceding 1.90 per game.
Boro and Wednesday both in a rut
With Middlesbrough winless in their last five (D3, L2) and Sheffield Wednesday without a win in five themselves (D3, L2), both teams come into this game in poor form. However, these are very different types of winless runs for two different types of teams. Boro sit 5th in the Championship table with 72 points from 42 games, firmly within the playoff zone, while Wednesday sit 24th and have -3 points from 43 games due to heavy points deductions.
This is a matchup of the promotion pushers against the fight for pride, and the stakes could not be more different for each team. The Middlesbrough vs Sheffield Wednesday preview highlights that Boro boss Kim Hellberg has seen his team slow down since he took over, but he will be hoping to rediscover the high-tempo, high-pressing style that they enjoyed in the early stages of the season.
Boro should have enough quality to take all three points
The hosts have an interesting way of playing. They often field a ‘systemless’ system, with wing-backs providing width, creative midfielders allowed to roam and their pacey front three looking to get in behind opponents. The key is the high-tempo transitions and their ability to press teams out of the ball.
Wednesday, on the other hand, prefer a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, preferring to be compact, have control of the game and press in situations rather than sustain pressure on the opponent. Their playing style is much more pragmatic, and they have far less of an attacking threat.
The visitors do have some quality in the midfield, with some experienced players to keep the shape and drive the ball forward when they can. However, their away record is poor, with just one win in 21 league games on the road. Charlie McNeill leads the line, but he has just four goals in 36 league appearances this season. This Middlesbrough vs Sheffield Wednesday prediction points out that they may be able to keep this game close, but they lack the firepower to take the points.
Home advantage should tell
The odds may be short, but with Boro being 1.11 favorites here, it’s hard to see them not getting the win at home. For our Middlesbrough vs Sheffield Wednesday prediction, their home record may not be exceptional, but it’s much better than Wednesday’s away form, and Boro have enough firepower to finish the game in their favour.
Morgan Whittaker is a real threat going forward for the hosts, with 11 goals in 36 Championship appearances this term. Boro have conceded just 17 goals in 21 games at the Riverside, and they should have too much quality for the visitors on Wednesday night.
Each of these teams has won one and drawn one of their previous three encounters, but Wednesday have failed to win either of their last two visits to Middlesbrough. With Boro looking to play at a higher tempo and Wednesday happy to sit back and play it safe, the home team should have the quality to break through and take all three points. The best Middlesbrough vs Sheffield Wednesday betting tips suggest backing the hosts to win, as this Middlesbrough vs Sheffield Wednesday prediction reflects current form and home advantage.
