Football Bet of the Day: Sunderland can down off-colour Wednesday

Our Football Bet of the Day for Friday night comes from the Championship as Sheffield Wednesday host Sunderland (20:00, Sky Sports Football). The Owls are trying to get themselves into the play-off picture, while the Black Cats now look like they will have to settle for a place in the end-of-season chaos, having lost back-to-back games against Leeds United and Hull City. 

But how will they fare here? Below you can find my Football Bet of the Day for Friday, February 28. 

Now although Sunderland have been derailed by back-to-back defeats, I’m still going to back them to come out with all three points against Wednesday, and here is why. They actually played very well against Leeds United and a late defeat felt not only monumental for their automatic promotion chances, but damaging for their confidence.

Following it up with a home defeat to Hull may have been a surprise, but Ruben Selles has a team that has now won three of their last four on the road. They just did a number on Regis Le Bris’ side, but I can’t see that happening again here, as Sunderland look to get back on track. 

Hillsborough has not been much of a happy hunting ground for Sheffield Wednesday this season, and they’ve only amassed 22 points from 17 matches in front of their own fans. That’s five wins out of 17 home fixtures, with only Derby and Hull amassing fewer points at home in the Championship. 

Football Odds

I was leaning towards Sunderland to get the win anyway based on their individual quality. Despite Enzo Le Fee’s injury, the likes of Jobe Bellingham, Wilson Isidor and Chris Rigg should have enough about them to get the three points in Yorkshire. I think they could get the better of Wednesday even if the Owls had a fully-fit squad available, but Danny Rohl seemed to hint that there would be several absentees on Friday night.

"I won't go into the names with injuries. But for us this has been a tough week and tomorrow you will see why. We have some question marks. Dom (Iorfa) is closer and Akin (Famewo) has trained his first sessions back with the team and it's good to see him on the pitch." 

Sheffield Wednesday vs Sunderland Odds

Those comments to me suggest that an illness has gone through the camp which has severely hampered his preparation for this game. Wednesday don’t have the greatest squad depth as it is, so if you add a bug to that, they could be left extremely short in key areas. 

It leads me to believe that we are getting fantastic value on the away win, and the price on Sunderland to come away with three points could be a lot shorter when the team sheets are confirmed. Rohl is a fantastic manager, but if half his first team is out, it’s going to be very tough for his team to avoid defeat.

Wednesday have lost their last two outings, 4-0 to Burnley and 2-1 against Coventry, and although three defeats in a row would be damaging to their play-off hopes, I can’t see anything other than another loss at Hillsborough. Let’s back the Black Cats to pick up another away win on Friday night. 

Offers

Place an In-Play single bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2+ on any FA Cup or Championship game on Friday or Saturday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on Sunday’s games.

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down

You can read all our latest Football Bet of the Day selections at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.