Sheffield Wednesday vs Southampton predictions for this friendly pre-season that will be played on Friday night at Hillsborough. Who will win the 2023-24 Championship season opening clash? Read on for all our free betting tips and predictions.
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Match Live Friday, 4th August at 8:00 pm In:
Sheffield Wednesday vs Southampton Predictions
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The Championship Returns: A Thorough Look into the Opening Battle between Sheffield Wednesday and Southampton
Key Stats
– Josh Windass, Sheffield’s key player, made significant contributions last season with 12 goals and seven assists.
– Nathan Tella, Southampton’s potential star, scored 17 goals and provided five assists in his previous season at Burnley.
The upcoming Championship season of 2023-24 is set to kick off at Hillsborough on Friday, featuring Sheffield Wednesday hosting Southampton. Newly promoted Sheffield Wednesday and relegated Southampton are entering this term under fresh leadership. Xisco Munoz and Russell Martin will manage their initial competitive matches for the Owls and the Saints, respectively.
Sheffield Wednesday have returned to the Championship after concluding a two-year stint in League One. Their promotion was not straightforward, but thrilling nonetheless. With Darren Moore at the helm, the team finished third in England’s third tier, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion. However, a breathtaking total of 96 points from 46 games demonstrated their tenacity.
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They faced Peterborough United in the playoffs. Despite a severe 4-0 loss away, they engineered a miraculous comeback at home. Players like Michael Smith, Lee Gregory, Reece James, and Liam Palmer played a crucial role in equating the aggregate score, which was followed by a dramatic penalty shootout leading to their advance to the final showdown at Wembley against Barnsley.
The climactic event witnessed 90 minutes of nerve-wracking football with no goals. It seemed destined for another penalty shootout. However, Josh Windass emerged as the hero, netting the match-winning goal in the dying minutes of extra time, securing Sheffield’s spot in the second tier.
However, the euphoria was short-lived as Darren Moore departed in June, and Xisco Munoz took over the reins. They began pre-season with mixed results. Their notable fixtures included a draw against York City, a victory over Chesterfield, and losses against Burnley, Eldense, Doncaster Rovers, and Luton Town. With pre-season behind them, Sheffield Wednesday look forward to marking their Championship comeback with a win in their home ground.
A Tale of Two Teams
Sheffield’s opponent, Southampton, too have undergone a management overhaul with Russell Martin taking charge after their unfortunate relegation from the Premier League. The Saints were embroiled in a battle against relegation, and despite numerous management changes, they ended up being relegated.
Their 11th continuous campaign in England’s top flight proved disastrous as they failed to avoid the drop. With Ralph Hasenhuttl leaving in November, and his successor Nathan Jones not lasting long, the club was in turmoil. The responsibility of the team was given to Ruben Selles, but it was too late to change their fate. They concluded the season at the bottom of the table with a mere 25 points.
Southampton’s pre-season under Martin was also a mixed bag, featuring a loss to Benfica, a draw with Goztepe, and a victory over Reading, finishing with losses to Bournemouth and AZ Alkmaar. Regardless, Southampton are eager to initiate their Championship journey on a winning note and firmly establish their presence from the get-go.
Players to Watch and Possible Lineups
Sheffield have been busy in the transfer market, with defenders Di’Shon Bernard, Bambo Diaby, Pol Valentin, winger Juan Delgado, and forward Ashley Fletcher joining their ranks. Competition for positions is high, with players like Josh Windass, Michael Smith, Lee Gregory, Fletcher, Delgado, Marvin Johnson, and Mallik Wilks looking to cement their spots.
Southampton, on the other hand, have only lost a few players with others set to leave. Key players like James Ward-Prowse, Adam Armstrong, and Che Adams are expected to be crucial this season. New arrivals like Samuel Edozie, Charly Alcaraz, and Nathan Tella also add depth to the squad.
Offensive and Defensive Strategies
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday seem to favor a come-from-behind, underdog mentality, as evidenced by their semi-final win over Peterborough United. They have shown the ability to stage dramatic turnarounds, indicating a never-say-die attitude on the offensive front. However, the lack of goals during their preseason games might suggest a weakness in their striking options or a lack of cohesion in the offensive unit.
Defensively, their come-from-behind victories could suggest vulnerabilities that need to be addressed. They will need to shore up their defences to prevent a repeat of such high-pressure situations.
Southampton
Southampton, managed by the highly rated Russell Martin, have an offensive style that is set up to score goals. This was evident in their last season’s matches where they had high-scoring games, even though they ended up losing. Their star player, James Ward-Prowse, is expected to play a key role in their offensive strategy.
Defensively, Southampton have been lacking. With a series of high-scoring losses last season, it seems clear that they need to tighten up their defence even in the Championship.
Individual Performances
Sheffield Wednesday
Josh Windass was a standout performer for Sheffield Wednesday last season, scoring the goal that secured their promotion. He will be key to their attacking strategy. Michael Smith, who scored 12 of his 18 League One goals at home last season, is another player who is expected to make significant contributions to the team.
Southampton
James Ward-Prowse, the captain, is a key player who has caught the eye of other Premier League clubs due to his performances. However, he remains with Southampton and his performance will greatly influence their season. Similarly, Che Adams is another player to watch, who has been linked with other Premier League clubs.
Management Impact
Both teams are under new management, which could lead to changes in their style of play. Russell Martin, known for setting up teams to score goals, will need to improve Southampton’s defensive unit to complement their attack. Xisco Munoz, Sheffield’s new manager, will need to integrate the team more cohesively, especially considering their recent lacklustre goal-scoring record in the preseason.
Comparison
Southampton seems to be the stronger side offensively but is weak defensively. Sheffield, on the other hand, may lack offensive firepower but have a never-say-die attitude and can mount comebacks. The new managerial changes for both teams add a level of unpredictability to their tactics and style of play.
Suggestions for Improvement
Sheffield Wednesday need to improve their attacking strategies. A focus on more cohesive play can lead to better goal-scoring opportunities. Defensively, they need to avoid situations where they have to play catch-up.
Southampton need to work on their defense to balance out their attack-minded gameplay. Ensuring that their star players remain focused amidst transfer rumours will also be crucial.
Pros and Cons
Sheffield have the advantage of momentum after their promotion and a potentially strong home record. However, they lack goals based on their preseason performances. Southampton have a strong attacking line-up but their defence is suspect and their team morale may be affected by the ongoing transfer rumours.
Dynamics, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Sheffield will look to capitalise on their home advantage and their ability to make comebacks. Southampton will look to exploit their attacking strength and capitalise on Sheffield’s possible goal drought. However, both teams need to address their weaknesses – Sheffield’s lack of goal-scoring and Southampton’s defence.
The aforementioned analysis aligns with the prediction that Sheffield, despite being the underdogs, might have a chance of avoiding a defeat due to their momentum and Southampton’s defensive issues. However, if Southampton can address their defence, they can leverage their superior attack to win the match.
Prediction 1: Draw for the Match
Sheffield Wednesday’s strong performance in League One last season, with an average BettingTips4You expert rating of 6.98, indicates they can hold their own against a team like Southampton who have recently fallen from the Premier League. Their performances were underpinned by solid defensive displays, tenacity, and a knack for scoring crucial goals. With new manager Xisco Munoz at the helm, they might very well carry this momentum into the Championship and hold Southampton to a draw in the opening match.
In addition, the uncertainty surrounding Southampton, especially with their new management and potential outgoing transfers, could destabilise their performance, making a draw a plausible outcome.
Prediction 2: 1-1 as the Correct Score
A 1-1 scoreline prediction takes into account the potential goal-scoring abilities of both teams as well as their respective defensive capabilities. Sheffield Wednesday’s performance last season showed their capability to score goals, while their defence managed to hold off many League One opponents.
On the other hand, Southampton, despite struggling last season, still boast several Premier League quality players like James Ward-Prowse who can pose threats. However, their defensive frailties may limit their ability to prevent Sheffield from scoring. Therefore, a 1-1 draw is a logical prediction, taking into account these factors.
Prediction 3: Key Goalscorers – Josh Windass and Nathan Tella
Josh Windass was a key contributor to Sheffield Wednesday’s promotion campaign last season, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists. His form and ability to show up in big games make him a likely candidate to score in the upcoming match.
Southampton’s Nathan Tella, meanwhile, has shown great promise. Following a successful loan spell at Burnley, where he scored 17 goals and assisted five in 39 appearances, he returned to Southampton. If given the opportunity to play, his recent form suggests he could find the net against Sheffield Wednesday. His goal-scoring ability could prove vital for Southampton as they look to start their Championship campaign positively.
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