Sunderland vs Sheffield Wednesday: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Both teams are looking to continue their perfect starts to the season following opening game wins. However, we are backing the home side to prevail and take the three points in a narrow win. Sunderland have been the better of the two in recent matchups, having won three of the previous five meetings between the sides at the Stadium of Light. This includes a 1-0 play-off semi-final second leg win in 2022.

The Black Cats started their season with an impressive win at Cardiff City, whilst Sheffield Wednesday were victorious at home against Plymouth. Sunderland struggled at home last season, ranking 15th in the division in form, though we expect them to make a good start this time around in front of their own fans – Sunderland 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday

Sunderland host Sheffield Wednesday at the Stadium of Light in their second game, with both sides hoping to pick up another win to continue their perfect starts to the season.

Date: 18/08/24

Kick-off time: 12:00

Venue: Stadium of Light

Both teams enjoyed victories in their openers, Sunderland beating Cardiff 2-0 away from home and Sheffield Wednesday picking up a 4-0 win against Plymouth. The hosts finished 16th last season, and will be hopeful of a great improvement and climbing the table. They are in their first season under new manager Regis Le Bris, and they will look to provide a challenge to the top six.

For Sheffield Wednesday, they are already off to a better start than last season with one win. Last year, they started the campaign without a victory in their first 13, and subsequently became the first team in Championship history to survive relegation after enduring such a start. They ultimately stayed up by three points as they won three of their last five games. A much better finish is on the cards for this season given their showing in the opening game.

However, the trip to Sunderland will be a sterner test. Their opponents have struggled at home, and are winless in their last seven Championship games in their own stadium, but will expect to put on a better showing in the first game in front of their fans. There has been constant speculation over the future of youngster Jack Clarke, who was the club’s top scorer last season with 15 goals, but he started and scored last time out, and for now remains a crucial figure that Wednesday will have to keep a close eye on.

At the other end, one of the Owls’ newest recruits Jamal Lowe hit the ground running with a debut goal last weekend. Lowe scored nine times for Swansea last year and provides a huge boost to an attack which found goals very hard to come by. Only bottom club Rotherham scored less than their 44 goals. Four goals in their opener provides plenty of optimism moving forward.

There is plenty of history between these two sides with 130 previous meetings. There is very little to split the pair with Sunderland just edging the head-to-head. They have won 51 games to Sheffield Wednesday’s 50 with 29 draws. Since 2021, they have faced off seven times across three different competitions, including a two-legged tie in the 2022 League One play-offs in which Sunderland prevailed 2-1 on aggregate.

Last season, both teams won a game each, as Wednesday lost the first game 3-0 at home before getting their revenge with a 2-0 win at the Stadium of Light just over three months ago. They scored their goals through Liam Palmer and Josh Windass with their only shots on target. In the seven meetings, only one game has seen both teams scoring. This was a second leg 1-1 draw in the play offs. Every other meeting has been to nil for the winning side, a trend which could continue this weekend.

Sunderland vs Sheffield Wednesday will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Football.

Sunderland

After picking up an injury late last season, defender Jenson Seelt still remains out. Youngster Eliezer Mayenda got the nod up front last weekend and could be tasked with the responsibility once more against Sheffield Wednesday. Jobe Bellingham started just behind and hopes to play a key role this season. Sunderland have no new injury concerns otherwise.

Sheffield Wednesday

Summer recruits Jamal Lowe, Max Lowe, Yan Valery and James Beadle all started in the last game, making their debuts. They will all likely get the nod once more with no injury concerns coming out of the game against Plymouth.

Sunderland:

In their last five games, Sunderland have won three, lost one and drawn one. It was a strong pre-season for Sunderland, and they backed that up with a victory in their opening game of the Championship season. It was a 2-0 win at Cardiff as they sent the away fans home happy with three points. Luke O’Nien opened the scoring after 18 minutes, before Jack Clarke put the game to bed in the 89th. Cardiff enjoyed more possession, but could not make it count as the visitors took their chances.

Their final pre-season game was a 2-2 draw against Ligue 1 Marseille. The French side took the lead, but Sunderland pegged them back as Dennis Cirkin headed home. The Black Cats fell behind once more, however, a spot kick with nine minutes to go meant the game ended in a draw.

This followed a 2-1 defeat to Bradford, a two consecutive wins at Blackpool and Spanish Second Division side Eldense. They beat Blackpool 1-0 and Eldense 2-1.

Sheffield Wednesday:

In their last five games, Sheffield Wednesday have won three, drawn one and lost one. It had been an inconsistent pre-season from Wednesday heading into the new season. However, they made the perfect start in their opener at home to Plymouth Argyle, beating them 4-0. Jamal Lowe scored on his debut before an own goal and further strikes from Josh Windass and Michael Smith added on.

Their final friendly game was a goalless draw against Spanish side Leganes, following a heavy 4-0 defeat to Austrians RB Salzburg. These two games came after two consecutive wins against Alfreton Town and Sunderland, both of the same scoreline 2-0. The latter came in the final game of last season, as Wednesday picked up a huge three points to stay up.

Against Alfreton they were comfortable winners, with Windass and Mallik Wilks scoring either side of half-time.

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