Preview & Prediction: Middlesbrough FC vs Sheffield Wednesday FC

This encounter at Riverside Stadium promises to be a gripping contest between two sides eager to maintain their momentum in the Championship. Middlesbrough has been showing strong form, remaining unbeaten in their last two games and finding the back of the net consistently, having scored in each of their last five matches. They have been effective at home this season, averaging 1.82 points per game, and history is on their side with 11 wins in their past 21 meetings with Sheffield Wednesday.

Sheffield Wednesday, however, are not to be underestimated. They have been commendable on the road, unbeaten in their last three away encounters and averaging 1.6 points per game. With 10 points from their last five games, they are entering this match in strong form, having only one defeat in their recent fixtures.

Both teams have shown a tendency for games where both sides score, making BTTS a promising outcome considering past meetings have seen goals from both ends 57% of the time. Given the offensive efficiency of both teams and their defensive lapses, we anticipate a closely contested match with potential goals. Middlesbrough might have a slight edge due to their home advantage and recent performances, but Sheffield Wednesday’s resilience on the road keeps this clash uncertain. A score draw or a narrow win for either side could be a realistic prediction, with both teams likely to find the net..

Insights

• Middlesbrough has picked up 8 points from their last 5 matches, showing solid form with 1.6 points per game.
• Middlesbrough has lost only one of their past 5 games, with 2 wins and 2 draws.
• Middlesbrough has seen Both Teams to Score (BTTS) in 4 of their last 5 matches.
• Middlesbrough has been scoring consistently, with 9 goals in their last 5 games.
• Sheffield Wednesday has slightly stronger recent form, earning 10 points from their last 5 games, averaging 2 points per game.
• Sheffield Wednesday remains undefeated in their past 3 away matches.
• Sheffield Wednesday has seen BTTS in 3 out of their last 5 matches.
• Sheffield Wednesday has a lower BTTS rate this season compared to Middlesbrough.
• Historically, Middlesbrough leads in head-to-head results with 11 wins out of 21 meetings.
• Both teams have good current form, with Sheffield Wednesday in particular finding success away from home.
• Historical averages suggest potential for goals as previous matches between the teams averaged 2.62 goals.
• Middlesbrough scores 1.82 Points Per Game at home, slightly higher than Sheffield Wednesday’s 1.6 Points Per Game away.
• Under the floodlights, Middlesbrough seeks to capitalize on home advantage against a strong-traveling Sheffield Wednesday.

Match Forecast

• Both teams will likely focus much of their attack down the right flank.
• Middlesbrough’s possession-based play may struggle against Sheffield Wednesday’s strong ability to steal the ball.
• Sheffield Wednesday could exploit Middlesbrough’s aerial weakness with their strong aerial play and frequent crosses.
• Middlesbrough might create scoring chances through individual skill and effective use of through balls.
• Sheffield Wednesday’s weakness in defending set pieces could be exploited by Middlesbrough’s strong set piece play.
• Middlesbrough’s tendency to be caught offside may arise due to their aggressive attempt for through balls.
• Sheffield Wednesday may rotate their squad, which could affect team chemistry and performance.
• There might be aggressive play against Middlesbrough as is typical against them.
• Middlesbrough could struggle against Sheffield Wednesday’s ability to come back from losing positions if they let their guard down after leading.
• Sheffield Wednesday’s difficulty in keeping possession may allow Middlesbrough to control the game in the opposition’s half.

Match Facts

• The most frequent scoreline in clashes between Middlesbrough FC and Sheffield Wednesday is 3-1, occurring in 5 encounters.
• In the past 15 matchups at Middlesbrough’s ground, they have claimed victory 10 times, with 2 draws and Sheffield Wednesday winning 3 times, accumulating a goal difference of 29-14 in Middlesbrough’s favor.
• Across their last 30 games, Middlesbrough FC has won 17 times, drawn 3 times, and conceded defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on 10 occasions, boasting a goal difference of 48-35 in their favor.
• In the previous season, Middlesbrough secured a 2-0 home win while securing a 1-1 draw away at Sheffield Wednesday.
• Middlesbrough FC tends to score 29% of their goals between the 31st and 45th minutes.
• Sheffield Wednesday scores 35% of their goals between the 76th and 90th minutes.
• Sheffield Wednesday is currently on a three-match winning streak away from home.
• Middlesbrough FC has failed to score in 3 of their 11 Championship home matches this season.
• Sheffield Wednesday has not scored in 4 of their 10 away fixtures in the Championship this season.
• Finn Azaz leads assists for Middlesbrough FC with 8, while Anthony Musaba tops Sheffield Wednesday’s chart with 4 assists.
• A year back, Middlesbrough FC was in the 13th position with 27 points and is now 6th with 34 points.
• Sheffield Wednesday has improved from 23rd position with 13 points last year to 9th with 29 points now.
• Middlesbrough FC wins 32% of first halves in contrast to Sheffield Wednesday’s 27%.
• Middlesbrough also clinches 32% of all halftime leads, compared to Sheffield Wednesday’s 27%.
• The latest meeting winner was Middlesbrough FC, triumphing by two goals.
• Middlesbrough FC has a 75% win rate when leading 1-0 at home.
• Sheffield Wednesday wins 90% of matches when leading 0-1 away.
• When trailing 0-1 at home, Middlesbrough FC has a 10% comeback rate.
• Sheffield Wednesday wins 29% of matches when they’re down 1-0 away.
• Sheffield Wednesday’s Championship performance is superior to Middlesbrough’s.
• Recent form shows Sheffield Wednesday outperforming Middlesbrough FC in the last 5 matches.
• Middlesbrough FC has lost just once in their last 5 encounters against Sheffield Wednesday across all competitions.
• In their last 5 meetings, Middlesbrough FC won 3 times, Sheffield Wednesday once, with one match ending in a draw.
• Specifically in the Championship, Middlesbrough has lost only 1 of their last 5 games against Sheffield Wednesday.
• Sheffield Wednesday has claimed victory in only 1 of their last 5 Championship fixtures against Middlesbrough.
• On average, Middlesbrough FC scores 1.8 goals per match against Sheffield Wednesday, who scores 1 goal.
• The average goals tally in matches between the two sides is 2.8.
• Typically, 1.6 goals are scored during the first half in clashes between Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday.
• On average, Middlesbrough FC scores 1.41 goals at home while Sheffield Wednesday nets 1.23 goals away.