We have an intriguing Yorkshire deby in the EFL Championship on New Year’s Day as Sheffield Wednesday lock horns with Hull City.
Sheffield Wednesday currently sit 23rd in the EFL Championship with five wins, four draws and sixteen losses from twenty-five games this season.
The Owls had an abysmal start to the league season and looked well on their way to relegation, but a marked improvement in performances under manager Danny Röhl means they’re now starting to make their ascent up the table.
Röhl replaced former boss Xisco Muñoz in early October with the side winless in the league, and they have since won five league games and are now just six points shy of safety.
They’re coming into this game in solid form having won two and lost two of their last four games, the most recent of which was a 1-0 win away at Preston North End.
Marvin Johnson gave the Owls the lead after 27 minutes before they proceeded to shut their opponents out for the remainder of the game, even after being reduced to ten men following George Byers’ red card after 85 minutes.
The three points were big for Wednesday and were further confirmation that they’re well on their way to reaching the level they want to reach.
Their form at home has largely been very good of late too, as they enter this game having won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five games on home soil.
All in all things are looking infinitely more positive for Sheffield Wednesday than they were at the beginning of the campaign and although they face a tough test here they’re well-placed to pick up a result.
Hull City currently sit 6th in the EFL Championship with eleven wins, six draws and eight losses from twenty-five games this season.
The Tigers are having a very commendable campaign thus far as they chase an eventual top-six finish, something that’s very expected of them after a summer of notable investment in the squad.
Liam Rosenior’s side are entering this game in decent form having won three and lost two of their last five games, the most recent of which was a 3-2 win over Blackburn Rovers.
Goals from Liam Delap and Aaron Connolly gave Hull a 2-0 lead before Rovers brought the game back to 2-2 before half-time.
A scrappy goal from Alfie Jones gave Hull a 3-2 lead in the second half and they eventually saw the game out after their opponents were reduced to ten men on 74 minutes.
A good win for the Tigers, even if unconvincing, and it was timely as they entered the game off the back of a two-match losing streak.
Rosenior’s side have struggled away from home in recent weeks having failed to win any of their last five games on the road so there’ll be some apprehension as they face a side capable of springing a surprise here.
Based on the league table standings the away side should take all three points here, but it’s unlikely to be that simple and the Owls will fancy they can take a result from this one.
For our Sheffield Wednesday vs. Hull prediction, we’re going for a 1-1 draw.
Don’t forget to check out the rest of our previews, tips and offers for this weekend’s action.