Alfreton Town vs Sheffield Wednesday Predictions

Alfreton Town vs Sheffield Wednesday predictions for this friendly clash. Sheffield Wednesday face Alfreton Town at the Impact Arena on Saturday in a pre-season friendly for the 2024-25 Championship campaign. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

Club Friendlies | Jul 6, 2024 at 1pm UK at Impact Arena

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Alfreton Town vs Sheffield Wednesday Predictions

Will Sheffield Wednesday’s New Signings Shine Against Alfreton Town?

Sheffield Wednesday embark on their pre-season preparations for the 2024-25 Championship campaign with a friendly against Alfreton Town at the Impact Arena. This match serves as a crucial warm-up for both sides as they gear up for their respective league seasons, with Wednesday looking to consolidate their Championship status and Alfreton aiming for promotion from the National League North.

Match Preview

Alfreton Town come into this pre-season friendly with high hopes for the upcoming National League North season. After a commendable fifth-place finish last term, they fell short in the playoff quarter-finals against Boston United. The Reds managed 80 points, their best tally since winning the division in 2011.

Despite home advantage in the playoff tie, they succumbed to a penalty shootout defeat after a goalless draw in regulation and extra time. Manager Billy Heath will aim to build on last season’s successes and push for promotion to the National League. This friendly against Sheffield Wednesday is the first of several challenging pre-season fixtures, including games against Notts County, Barnsley, Chesterfield, and Rotherham United.

Sheffield Wednesday, under the guidance of Danny Rohl, had a dramatic end to their Championship season. They were entrenched in the relegation zone for most of the campaign but managed a remarkable run of form in the final weeks to secure their survival. Rohl, who took over with the team on 39 points from 40 matches, led them to an unbeaten run in the last six games.

Key victories over Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion, where they scored three goals in each match, propelled them out of the bottom three. A decisive 2-0 win over Sunderland on the final day, with goals from Liam Palmer and Josh Windass, confirmed their place in the Championship for another season. Now, Rohl will look to build on this momentum and ensure a stronger start to the new campaign.

Team News and Line-ups

Alfreton Town’s Expected Line-Up:

Willis; Clackstone, Wiley, Perritt, Newall; Lund, Cantrill; Fewster, Waldock, Whitehouse; Day

Alfreton will be without several key players from last season, including defensive stalwarts Kennedy Digie and Shaun Brisley. Forwards Jordan Thewlis, the top scorer with 17 goals, and Matt Rhead have also departed. New signing Billy Whitehouse from Chorley is expected to bolster their attacking options. Jake Day, who scored 11 goals last season, will lead the line, with Liam Waldock providing creativity from midfield.

Sheffield Wednesday’s Expected Line-Up:

Hamer; Valery, Diaby, Ihiekwe, Johnson; Bannan, Ingelsson; Musaba, Windass, Kobacki; J Lowe

Sheffield Wednesday are set to feature several new signings, including Ben Hamer in goal, Yan Valery, and Max Lowe in defence. Midfielder Svante Ingelsson is likely to join captain Barry Bannan in the centre, following the departures of Will Vaulks and George Byers. In attack, Jamal Lowe and Olaf Kobacki are expected to play significant roles, supported by Djeidi Gassama and Josh Windass.

Key Areas and Player Duels

The midfield battle will be crucial, with Sheffield Wednesday’s Barry Bannan and Svante Ingelsson facing off against Alfreton’s Adam Lund and George Cantrill. Bannan’s playmaking ability and Ingelsson’s box-to-box energy will be pivotal for the Owls, while Lund and Cantrill will need to disrupt their rhythm and provide a solid base for Alfreton’s attacks.

In attack, Sheffield Wednesday’s new signing Jamal Lowe will be a key player to watch. His speed and finishing ability will test Alfreton’s restructured defence. For Alfreton, Jake Day’s physical presence and goal-scoring knack will be vital against the experienced defensive duo of Diaby and Ihiekwe.

Gameplay Expectations

Sheffield Wednesday are likely to dominate possession, leveraging their superior passing accuracy and midfield control. Rohl’s side will aim to exploit the flanks, with Valery and Johnson providing width and overlapping runs. Alfreton will likely adopt a more pragmatic approach, focusing on quick transitions and set-pieces to create scoring opportunities.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Sheffield Wednesday:

Strengths:

• Strong defensive organisation under Rohl, evidenced by their unbeaten run in the final six games last season.
• High possession and passing accuracy, allowing them to control the tempo of matches.
• Versatile attacking options with the addition of new signings like Lowe and Kobacki.

Weaknesses:

• Potential instability if key players underperform, given their reliance on a core group.
• Inconsistencies in converting possession into goals, as seen in their average of 1 goal per game last season.

Alfreton Town:

Strengths:

• Resilience and ability to compete, highlighted by their fifth-place finish and playoff run.
• Strong attacking threat, particularly from set-pieces and counter-attacks.
• A balanced midfield with players capable of both defensive and offensive contributions.

Weaknesses:

• Defensive fragility, especially with the departure of key defenders.
• Lack of depth in the squad, which could be exposed in a physically demanding match.
• Potential over-reliance on a few key players for creativity and goals.

Critique of Alfreton Town’s Approach

Alfreton’s strategy of relying heavily on a few key players for both defensive solidity and attacking thrust is a significant concern. The departures of Digie, Brisley, Thewlis, and Rhead have left gaps that are yet to be filled adequately. While Billy Heath’s tactical approach has brought some success, his inability to build a deeper, more versatile squad could hinder Alfreton’s promotion ambitions.

The lack of significant reinforcements suggests a challenging season ahead, with defensive vulnerabilities likely to be exposed against stronger opponents like Sheffield Wednesday.

Expected Goals Analysis

Sheffield Wednesday averaged 1 goal per game last season, indicating their capability to find the net consistently. Alfreton’s defensive record, conceding 50 goals, highlights their susceptibility to allowing goals. However, Wednesday’s improved attacking options with new signings suggest they could exceed their usual scoring rate in this friendly.

Key Areas and Player Duels

The midfield will be a key battleground, with Bannan and Ingelsson’s playmaking abilities pitted against Lund and Cantrill’s defensive solidity. In attack, Jamal Lowe’s duel with Alfreton’s new defensive setup will be crucial. Defensively, Diaby and Ihiekwe will be tasked with containing Jake Day, Alfreton’s main attacking threat.

Gameplay Dynamics

Sheffield Wednesday will look to dominate possession and use their passing accuracy to control the game. Their wide play and quick transitions will be key to breaking down Alfreton’s defence. Alfreton will likely adopt a counter-attacking approach, focusing on quick breaks and set-pieces to create chances.

Suggestions for Improvement

Sheffield Wednesday need to maintain their defensive discipline and improve their conversion rate in front of goal. Rohl’s tactical adjustments have stabilised the team, but turning possession into goals more consistently will be crucial. Alfreton must bolster their defence and integrate new signings to provide stability and resilience. Addressing their defensive weaknesses is paramount to improving their overall performance.

Predictions

Best Bet: Sheffield Wednesday -2 to Win

Sheffield Wednesday’s superior squad depth and quality make them clear favourites to win this friendly. Their strong end to the Championship season and the addition of several new signings provide a solid foundation. Alfreton’s defensive issues and lack of depth further tip the balance in favour of the Owls. Sheffield Wednesday’s ability to control possession and create scoring opportunities will likely see them dominate the match.

Correct Score Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 Alfreton Town

Given Sheffield Wednesday’s defensive solidity and Alfreton’s challenges in rebuilding their defence, a 3-0 victory for the Owls seems likely. Wednesday’s attacking prowess, bolstered by new signings, should see them break down Alfreton’s defence multiple times. Meanwhile, their own backline, organised by Rohl, should be able to keep a clean sheet against Alfreton’s weakened attack.

Goalscorer Prediction: Jamal Lowe to Score

Jamal Lowe, one of Sheffield Wednesday’s new signings, is expected to make an immediate impact. His speed, skill, and finishing ability make him a prime candidate to score. Given Alfreton’s defensive fragility, Lowe’s debut is likely to be marked with a goal. His ability to exploit spaces and finish chances will be crucial for Wednesday’s attacking success.

Corner Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday to Win More Corners

Sheffield Wednesday’s attacking style and possession-based approach will naturally lead to more corner opportunities. Last season, they averaged 5.3 corners per game. Alfreton’s tendency to defend deep and absorb pressure will likely result in conceding several corners. With Wednesday expected to dominate the attacking play, they are likely to win more corners than Alfreton.

Innovative Prediction: Total Corners Over 9.5

Both teams’ attacking intents suggest a high number of corners. Sheffield Wednesday’s average of 5.3 corners per game and Alfreton’s defensive style, which often results in conceding corners, support the prediction of over 9.5 corners in the match. The dynamic play and set-piece strategies of both sides will likely lead to multiple corner situations.

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