There’s a meaty Yorkshire derby in The Championship on Friday night with Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United on the telly at 8pm. Our tipster James O’Rourke has grasped the mantle in a bid to win the bragging rights for us here at Paddy Power News.
He’s expecting a close-fought encounter with plenty of cards but not much goal-mouth action. Let’s take a look at the definitive verdict to kick off the footballing weekend.
Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds betting tips
Under 2.5 Goals
Over 3.5 Cards
Over 4.5 Sheffield Wednesday corners
Yan Valery to be fouled 1+ times
Ethan Ampadu to be fouled 1+ times
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 17/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
WHEN: Friday, August 23 – 8pm
WHERE: Hillsborough Stadium
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football
UNDER 2.5 GOALS
Losing 4-0 to Sunderland last time out was a bit of a reality check for Sheffield Wednesday. Egos may have been dented as a result but the reality was that Sunderland outperformed their xG by over two goals, so it was a tighter match than the score suggests, even if they were certainly second best. Owls boss Danny Röhl will give Leeds plenty of respect, maybe even more so having just shipped four goals. Therefore, quite a tactical battle is set to materialise at Hillsborough.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke will be a little concerned about their start to the season but considering they’ve lost key players such as Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter then it is understandable they’re not at their sharpest. Farke learned plenty from the opening day draw with Portsmouth, which ended 3-3, and they followed that up in league action with a clean sheet away to West Brom. Given they’re a little rusty offensively right now, even more focus will turn towards protecting their own goal.
OVER 3.5 CARDS
At first glance of this fixture, the natural assumption is to potentially expect a game that should see plenty of tackles going in considering this is a Yorkshire derby. A reaction can be expected from Sheffield Wednesday after losing 4-0 last time out, whereas Leeds are still finding their way this season and know getting a win here could really get their season up and running.
It would appear those who designate match officials to fixtures have similar thoughts as Simon Hooper is taking charge on Friday night; who normally commands Premier League fixtures. It would be fair to say that refereeing a Premier League match and a Championship one is just simply different, and it happens a lot when top flight referee’s drop down that the tone and feel to a match is not what they are used to. Therefore, this points towards cards.
Hooper took in five Championship matches last season in between his usual Premier League assignments and would average 4.20 cards across them. Also, early into the new season, only six other clubs in the league have been awarded more yellow cards than Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds.
OVER 4.5 HOME CORNERS
It is only two games into the Championship season but there is already a team averaging double digit number of corners awarded, and that is Sheffield Wednesday. 10.35 to be precise, with Leeds a little behind on 7.31. Therefore, they must surely be a good bet achieve at least five or more on Friday night.
That case can be built further knowing The Owls are ranked third in the Championship in relation to the number of crosses they have produced. Playing in their 4-2-3-1 formation, wide play is important and both full backs are encouraged to get forward in support of the two tricky and skilful wingers. This naturally opens the door for corners just by nature of getting to the byline.
Leeds can be expected to have more of the possession in this clash and via counter attacking situations the home team will cause problems, again utilising the pace they have, mainly in the wide areas.
YAN VALERY TO BE FOULED 1 OR MORE TIMES
Yan Valery was an eye-catching signing for Sheffield Wednesday this summer but so far he has showcased the good and the bad of his game in their opening two league fixtures. He was most impressive in the 4-0 home win over Plymouth, charging forward at every opportunity from his right back berth.
He then didn’t have his best day in the Sunderland defeat last weekend, but he wasn’t alone in that. The former Southampton defender was hooked early in the second half, however he may be more suited playing at home given he’ll feel more comfortable getting forward.
Noting the contrast in his stats from the Plymouth to the Sunderland game makes for some telling reading. He would be fouled on three occasions versus Argyle, which again is an indicator of the offensive nature to his game. This came as a result of producing six crosses into the box and he won’t be afraid to put Leeds left back Junior Firpo under pressure.
ETHAN AMPADU TO BE FOULED 1 OR MORE TIMES
Ethan Ampadu began last season playing in his usual defensive midfielder role, only to end it as a centre back alongside Joe Rodon. This was an excellent partnership and a big reason for their overall impressive record in terms of so few goals conceded. With Pascal Struijk back fit again, he is slotting next to Rodon again, meaning Ampadu is back in midfield. He is very much the sitter, allowing Ilia Gruev to roam forward when possible.
Therefore, the Wales international is essentially the ball-winner in the team again and is also one of the first points of contact when Leeds build from the back. That raises the chances of him picking up a foul, either through opponents trying to win the ball off him or Ampadu himself regaining possession and winning a tactical foul every so often.
He was fouled an average of 0.84 times per game last season in league action when he changed between positions during the campaign, whereas three games into 2024/25 that number increases to 2.00, most likely due to having a different role under Daniel Farke.
Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds Bet Builder
Under 2.5 Goals
Over 3.5 Cards
Over 4.5 Sheffield Wednesday corners
Yan Valery to be fouled 1+ times
Ethan Ampadu to be fouled 1+ times
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 17/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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