Sheffield Wednesday v Southampton betting tips, BuildABet, best bets and preview
- Follow @JimmyThePunt
Football tips: Championship
2pts Adam Armstrong to have 4+ shots at 6/4 (bet365)
1pt Adam Armstrong anytime goalscorer at 3/1 (William Hill)
Friday sees the return of the Sky Bet EFL and after a summer without major men's football the anticipation is palpable.
Championship action commences at Hillsborough, where two clubs look to reacquaint themselves with the division.
Sheffield Wednesday rejoin from the third tier and any hope of promotion galvanising the group has been quashed over the summer by their chairman's calamitous antics.
Xisco Munoz became Dejphon Chansiri’s ninth different managerial appointment ahead of his 11th season in charge of the club.
Seemingly preoccupied by protecting his reputation, the tuna tycoon has neglected the squad, moving late in the market, leaving the Owls without depth or much quality.
That strategy may leave them short ahead of the new season, as I have alluded to in my outright preview.
What are the best bets?
New Southampton boss Russell Martin is a manager who gets the best out of his frontman.
Will Grigg and Cameron Jerome both hit double figures in Martin's last full season at MK Dons.
At Swansea, Joel Piroe bagged 41 league goals across two campaigns.
This is good news for forgotten man ADAM ARMSTRONG. The last time he graced the division (Blackburn 2020/21) he found the net 28 times.
I fancy him to hit the ground running with the Saints and his price to SCORE ANYTIME certainly appeals.
If you don’t shoot you don't score, a mantra ARMSTRONG lived by at Rovers.
He averaged an astronomical 4.71 shots per 90 minutes in his last second-tier stint, 1.5 attempts more than Millwall's Zian Flemming - last season's Championship hotshot.
The line may seem high at 4+ SHOTS but it's worth taking on.
BuildABet @ 14/1
- Over 2.5 Goals
- Adam Armstrong to have 4+ shots
- Barry Bannan to be carded
There’s some hoodoo surrounding televised EFL games but I think this one will live up to the hype.
The odds-against price about goals looks suspicious.
Southampton’s blunt attack last season is definitely a factor, the Saints averaged less than a goal a game, but that was in a different division. The drop in level must be taken into account, as should the opposition, who seem underprepared for the campaign.
BARRY BANNAN’s price to be shown a card has divided opinion across bookmakers, ranging from 6/5 to 10/3.
He racked up nine in his last Championship season and he'll have to adjust his game to contend with the shift in standard.
Score prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Southampton (Sky Bet odds: 10/1)
Team news
As it stands, Russell Martin says James Ward-Prowse and Romeo Lavia will be involved at Hillsborough, despite speculation linking the pair with an exit.
Kamaldeen Sulemana is injured and will miss the trip to South Yorkshire, while Sekou Mara is a doubt.
Xisco Munoz has the majority of the Wednesday squad at his disposal and is expected to opt for a 4-3-3 formation.
New signings Pol Valentin, Di-Shon Bernard, Juan Delgado and Ashley Fletcher could all make their debuts.
Predicted line-ups
Sheffield Wednesday: Dawson; Palmer, Bernard, Iorfa, James; Vaulks, Byers, Bannan; Delgado, Smith, Windass
Southampton: Bazunu, Walker-Peters, Stephens, Charles, Manning; Lavia, Ward-Prowse, Alcaraz; Tella, Armstrong, Edozie
Match facts
- These sides met in the Carabao Cup third round last term, sharing a 1-1 draw before Southampton won on penalties but this is their first league meeting since 2010/11 in League One. Southampton completed the double that season and went on to secure back-to-back promotions to the Premier League.
- Wednesday are unbeaten in 19 home games (W14 D5) and lost just once at Hillsborough in the league last term.
- New Wednesday boss Xisco Munoz led Watford to promotion from the Championship in 20/21, winning all bar one of his home games (12 of 13).
- Southampton have not won on opening day for 10 years, drawing four and losing five since beating West Brom in 2013.
Odds correct at 1700 BST (03/08/23)
More from Sporting Life
- Fixtures, results and live scores
- Expert xG analysis and features
- Transfer news and done deals
- Football and other sports tips
- Download our free iOS and Android app
- Podcasts and video content
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.