Sheffield Wednesday vs Huddersfield Town – Match Preview
Skybet Championship Play Off Semi Final 2nd Leg, Hillsborough, Sheffield 7.45pm
Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town will both feel they are one step closer to the Premier League after a tense 0-0 draw in the play-off semi-final first time around.
After Reading’s 1-0 (2-1 on aggregate) victory over Fulham yesterday; both teams know that The Royals will be the opponents at Wembley should either team emerge victorious here.
The phrase perfectly poised is completely apt in this instance. The tie is on a knife-edge after an edgy affair in the 1st leg in which the deadlock scarcely looked like being broken.
Town were the dominant side but failed to capitalise and any good goal-scoring opportunities were limited. Kieran Westwood saved well from Nakhi Wells on more than one occasion to keep the scores level.
Team News
Wednesday Midfielder Sam Hutchinson is back in contention after overcoming a knee injury. Gary Hooper is, however, still unavailable due to a hamstring problem.
Huddersfield welcome back goalkeeper Danny Ward from suspension and is likely to go straight back into the team.
Sheffield Wednesday will look to Fernando Forestieri to provide the goals tonight Photo Credit: skysports.com
Players to Watch
Fernando Forestieri is undoubtedly one of the division’s finest players when at his best. The diminutive forward has the ability to turn a game on its head in the blink of an eye – the type of creativity the 1st leg so desperately needed. The Argentinian’s second season for The Owls has been another strong one; scoring 12 goals in 32 appearances in The Championship. Big matches are decided by fine margins and Forestieri can definitely be the difference maker.
Terriers striker Nakhi Wells can be a frustrating player at times; plenty of ability but perhaps lacks the consistency to be a top player. However, when fit and firing the Bermudan forward is a handful for any defence and will be a constant worry for Wednesday’s defence with his lightning pace and running in behind. 10 goals this campaign represents a decent return for Wells; after missing a couple of chances in the first leg a goal in this game will see his contribution to the team be unquestionably more notable.
Nakhi Wells can fire Huddersfield into the final at Wembley Photo Credit: skysports.com
Summary
Expect another close encounter; neither side are likely to go gung-ho and risk exposure at the back so it could nervy and go right down to the wire.
However, Huddersfield have now not beaten Yorkshire counterparts Wednesday in 8 attempts and have not been able to score against them in the last 4. Pair that with The Owls’ excellent home record (only 6 defeats all season) and the experience of beating this season’s runners-up Brighton at this stage last year and the odds could well be in favour of the blue and white of Sheffield.
Suggested Tips:
- Skybet Price Boost – Fernando Forestieri to score and Sheffield Wednesday to win in 90 mins – 4/1
- Skybet Price Boost – Elias Kachunga to score a header – 6/1
- Skybet Scorecast Boost – Jordan Rhodes to score first and Sheffield Wednesday to win 2-1 – 50/1
- Skybet Scorecast Boost (Double Chance) – Aaron Mooy to score first and either Huddersfield to win 2-1 or Huddersfield to win 3-1 – 80/1
- Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – 5+ corners each team and 20+ booking pts each team – 4/1
- Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – Sheffield Wednesday to score 2+ goals and 7+ Sheffield Wednesday corners – 11/2
- Skybet RequestAbet 11/1 to 28/1 – A penalty awarded and a player sent off – 14/1
- Skybet RequestAbet 11/1 to 28/1 – Forestieri to score, Sheffield Wednesday to win, over 2.5 goals and 30+ booking pts each team – 22/1
- Skybet RequestAbet 33/1 to 66/1 – BTTS and Lowe, Hogg & Loovens to be carded – 50/1
- Skybet RequestAbet 33/1 to 66/1 – Forestieri to score and Hefele, Reach & Hutchinson to be carded – 66/1
- Skybet RequestAbet 80/1 and Above – Rhodes & Fletcher to score and Bannan & Hutchinson to be carded – 80/1
- Skybet RequestAbet 80/1 and Above – Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 and Loovens, Wells & Wallace to be carded – 500/1
- Skybet Anytime Goalscorer – Isaiah Brown to score Anytime in 90mins – 3/1
- Skybet Both Players to Score – Fernando Forestieri and Nakhi Wells to both score in 90mins – 8/1
