Sheffield Wednesday vs Burnley Predictions

Sheffield Wednesday vs Burnley Predictions for this Championship fixture. Burnley aim to top the Championship table as they travel to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, following the international break. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

Championship | Oct 19, 2024 at 3pm UK at Hillsborough Stadium

Sheffield Wednesday vs Burnley Predictions

Can Burnley’s Defence Silence Sheffield Wednesday’s Revival at Hillsborough?

• Burnley’s Defensive Masterclass: Burnley have conceded only four goals in their first nine games this season, keeping five clean sheets along the way. Their defence has been one of the most effective in the league, giving them a platform for success despite issues going forward.
• Sheffield Wednesday’s Struggle to Dominate Possession: With an average possession rate of just 44.9%, Sheffield Wednesday have often found themselves chasing the ball. Against a Burnley side who average 55.7% possession per game, Wednesday could be in for a long afternoon out of possession.
• Burnley’s Clean Sheet Record: Burnley’s impressive defensive form includes conceding just two goals in their last six matches, a run that features back-to-back clean sheets in their last two away games. This gives them a significant advantage going into this weekend’s fixture.

Our Tips

As Championship football returns after the international break, we look ahead to a fascinating clash at Hillsborough this Saturday, where Sheffield Wednesday will take on Burnley. While the Owls have clawed their way back into the league after a shaky start, Burnley are knocking on the door of the top two, just one point behind, and aiming to put pressure on the automatic promotion spots.

Sheffield Wednesday, having struggled early in the season, come into this match with renewed vigour. Their upturn in form, which includes a dramatic 3-2 win against then-leaders West Brom and a crucial 2-1 victory over Coventry City, has seen them climb to 15th place. However, the Owls will face a significant challenge in Burnley, who have one of the best defensive records in the league, conceding just four goals in their first nine games. This match will test whether Burnley’s rock-solid defence can withstand the energy and determination that Wednesday have recently shown.

Burnley, led by Scott Parker, may sit in third, but their form going into this fixture is not without its issues. Despite a commendable six-game unbeaten streak, their struggles in front of goal—scoring just five times in their last seven outings—have hampered their push for automatic promotion. Saturday’s game presents a chance for them to correct that, but Sheffield Wednesday will be no pushovers, especially on their own turf.

Best Bet: Burnley to Win to Nil

Looking at the form of both teams, our best bet for this match is for Burnley to win without conceding a goal. While Burnley have been far from free-scoring, their defensive capabilities have been nothing short of exceptional. Conceding only four goals in their first nine league games, they boast the second-best defensive record in the Championship. It’s not hard to see why. The defensive unit, anchored by Josh Cullen and Josh Brownhill in midfield, has been organised and difficult to break down. Burnley have kept five clean sheets already, and this kind of defensive resilience has been their hallmark.

Sheffield Wednesday, on the other hand, may have shown improvement, but their attack is still far from being a consistent threat. Despite grabbing some crucial late goals in recent matches, the Owls have only managed 11 goals in nine games, which includes just three goals in their last three home fixtures. With their main creative threat, Barry Bannan, having only scored two goals thus far, it’s questionable whether they have enough firepower to break down Burnley’s watertight defence.

Moreover, Burnley’s solidity at the back isn’t just a flash in the pan. Their system under Scott Parker is built around controlling possession (averaging 55.7% per match) and limiting the opposition’s opportunities. Sheffield Wednesday, meanwhile, struggle to dominate games with their average ball possession sitting at 44.9%, which means they are likely to find themselves chasing shadows for long periods of this match.

Burnley may not be prolific up front at the moment, but they don’t need to be when they are so difficult to score against. Given their excellent defensive record, it’s hard to see Sheffield Wednesday getting on the scoresheet here.

“Burnley’s strength this season has been their discipline at the back, and while they’re not scoring for fun, that solid foundation should be enough to see them through.” — BettingTips4You.com expert Steve Harrington.

Correct Score Prediction: Burnley 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday

In line with our best bet, we’re predicting a 2-0 win for Burnley at Hillsborough. While the Clarets have been far from explosive in the final third, they should have just enough quality to overcome a Sheffield Wednesday side that, while much improved, still have weaknesses.

Burnley’s ability to control the tempo and limit Sheffield Wednesday’s time on the ball will be crucial here. Luca Koleosho, Josh Brownhill, and Hannibal Mejbri have the creativity and movement to unlock the Owls’ defence, which has shown vulnerabilities at times, particularly with Nathaniel Chalobah sidelined. The Clarets may not score freely, but a goal in each half would be enough to settle this match, especially given how tightly Burnley manage games once they take the lead.

Sheffield Wednesday’s recent habit of conceding late goals is also worth noting, with their last-minute winner against Coventry masking their defensive frailties. A tight game might see the Owls throw men forward as the match progresses, but that would only open up space for Burnley to capitalise on the counter.

We’re backing Burnley to break their recent struggles in front of goal and secure a professional 2-0 victory, which would see them continue their push for automatic promotion.

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