Eng. Championship
2012-08-25 - Sheffield Wednesday vs Millwall
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Saturday 25 August 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Sheffield Wednesday
Dave Jones remains unbeaten as manager of Sheffield Wednesday, but he is surely going to want to work on a defence that has conceded 2 goals in each of their first three games this season. However, he will have been impressed with their attacking performances as they have grabbed 9 goals in those games and they are one of seven clubs yet to lose in the League this season.
The Owls beat Birmingham City 3-2 here on Tuesday night, just a few days after coming back from 2-0 down to pick up a point at Derby County on the opening day of the Championship. Wednesday also recovered from 2-0 down to Oldham Athletic in the Capital One Cup and moved through to the second round of that competition as they wrapped up a 2-4 win.
The side have now won 12 games and drawn 4 since Dave Jones took charge of the club. They have been very impressive at Hillsborough in games that have stretched back to last season as Sheffield Wednesday have won 8 of their last 9 games since they last lost here. It is also worth noting that they have scored at least 2 goals in each of their last 8 games at Hillsborough.
Dave Jones has the luxury of being able to stick with the same XI that started the win over Birmingham City.
Millwall
Millwall are expected to be involved towards the bottom of the Championship, but they picked up a vital three points during the week at Peterborough United and will be hoping to build on their first win of the season.
The side had been beaten by Crawley Town in the Capital One Cup, albeit on penalties, and then lost to Blackpool on the opening day of the League season. Both of those results came at the New Den, but they played without the pressure of a home game when winning at London Road having recovered from a goal deficit in a 1-2 win.
It was a strong end to last season that kept Millwall in the Championship as they were unbeaten in 8 games to end the season, winning 6 of those games. The win at Peterborough during the week means Millwall have actually won their last 4 away League games and also 7 of their last 9.
Kenny Jackett, like Dave Jones, is set to play the same side that won their last League game.
Head to Head
This will be the first meeting between these clubs in seven seasons when both clubs won a League game on the other's home turf.
Sheffield Wednesday have actually failed to win any of their last 3 home games against Millwall, losing the last 2, although these matches have been spread out going back to 2001.
Prediction
I was seriously considering backing Sheffield Wednesday to win this match at odds against as I do think they are capable of emulating Norwich City and Southampton and earning back to back promotions, although they will have to improve defensively if they are to do so.
It is the defensive issues that have put me off backing Wednesday in the end as they have conceded 2 goals in each of their opening games this season and Millwall have been playing well away from home towards the end of last season and have gained confidence from their win at Peterborough United.
Instead of picking Wednesday to win, I am going to back over 2.5 goals at slightly bigger odds than the home win.
Millwall have scored in 11 of their last 12 away games in the Championship and they may be able to take advantage of any defensive errors made in this game. In addition to Millwall scoring goals, Sheffield Wednesday have managed to score at least 2 goals in their last 8 home games going back to last season.
I will probably need Millwall to get on the scoreboard to ensure the overs comes in, but the early Sheffield Wednesday games suggest the away side will get chances so the overs is my call.
The Pick :
Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Millwall
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.10
