Bristol City vs Sheff Wed Prediction: 9/4 Owls to build on Baggies win

Two of the Championship’s most unpredictable clubs come face-to-face at Ashton Gate on Wednesday when Bristol City host Sheffield Wednesday (kick-off 20:00 BST, Sky Sports+ HD).

With both sides looking to put breathing space between themselves and the bottom six, a win for either could help to put them in a position to battle at the top end after the upcoming international break. Here are my Bristol City vs Sheff Wed predictions.

Team News

Robins boss Liam Manning was largely pleased with his side’s performance in the 1-1 draw at Swansea City on Sunday and was left disappointed by the circumstances surrounding the hosts’ opener.

Manning was also happy with Yu Hirakawa in his first start for the club since arriving on loan from Machida Zelvia. The Japanese could start again, although there could be shuffling of the pack given the short turnaround.

Scott Twine should continue in the number 10 position after being switched there for the trip to Swansea.

Manning said of the change in role for the former Milton Keynes Dons man: “He’s so comfortable with receiving in tight areas and then constantly asking questions, he's very brave to take risks and try things, which is what you want.”

Wednesday are very close to welcoming back Dominic Iorfa from a muscle injury which has ruled him out for the last six games in all competitions, while Di’Shon Bernard is available again after serving a one-match ban at the weekend.

Danny Rohl is likely to make some tweaks to the side which beat league leaders West Bromwich Albion 3-2 on Saturday, with Bernard returning and some potential alterations in the forward line too.

He could well give a start to either Jamal Lowe or Michael Smith, both of whom have featured rarely in the first XI of late, with Ike Ugbo and Olaf Kobacki among those who could make way.

Anthony Musaba may be considered for a starting shirt after coming on to score the winner against West Brom.

Bristol City vs Sheff Wed Odds

City are the bookies’ favourites to pick up the three points at Ashton Gate, with Betfred pricing them at 6/5 for the win.

Wednesday are 9/4, which implies a 30.8% probability of an away victory, while the draw is available at 12/5.

Sheff Wed to win @ 9/4

Cards on the table: I am a Wednesday supporter. But whereas that’s normally enough to convince me that the Owls won’t come through, having had them disappoint me umpteen times over many decades, I reckon they can get the points here.

The performance against West Brom was excellent for the most part, with the decision by Rohl to mix up his team’s style bearing fruit. Wednesday were close against both Queens Park Rangers and Luton Town in their previous two games, they were worthy victors against Albion.

There were moments of real quality, ranging from the pass-from-the-back opener, to Josh Windass’ vision for the second and Max Lowe’s wonderful precision pass which allowed Barry Bannan to tee-up Musaba for the winner.

Bristol City are a side who don’t give away too many opportunities, but then so were West Brom until the weekend.

There’s been a bit of something different about Wednesday in recent games, and I continue to be positive when it comes to the club’s prospects this season.

The change in approach should help them to take at least something from BS3, and I really think there’s every chance of a Wednesday win at a generous 9/4.

Football Odds

Team with the most booking points: Sheff Wed @ 23/20

Maybe it’s just the overly-sensitive Wednesday fan in me, but it seems Owls players can’t blow their nose without picking up yellow cards sometimes.

There are also, naturally, a few crude challenges, ‘professional’ pull-backs and – in the case of Michael Smith at the weekend – screams into the referee’s face. Add together such offences and Wednesday are a dab hand at collecting cards.

And whatever the result on Wednesday night, they’re not going to get into the muck and nettles of a game like this one without upsetting the applecart a little.

It was on this ground last year that a first-half sending-off for Barry Bannan coloured the game on the way to a 1-0 City win, and while it was later rescinded it was another example of how the Owls can fall foul of the law.

So I see Wednesday getting stuck in and getting the odd yellow, outscoring Bristol City in a disciplinary sense at the very least. The odds of 23/20 imply a 46.5% chance but I see few scenarios where the visitors don’t pick up a good few cards.

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