Sheffield Wednesday vs Sunderland Bet Builder Tips, Preview

If Wednesday have anything going for them it’s their athleticism. I really like the way they move the ball in wide areas and some of their best performers have featured in those roles as well as at full back.

They only improved their arsenal of dangerous wide men in the window with Cissoko coming in as well as Armstrong who’s Swiss-Army-knife nature makes him a manager’s dream.

I really like Gassama and he’s in good form. He may not have been getting as many contributions but he’s been a persistent danger. He gave Burnley a really tough time in the first half, and I’m confident he can do the same again.

He’ll be up against Cirkin who’s not exactly perfect when it comes to challenges. He doesn’t possess loads of natural pace so can be left needing to commit a foul or can simply mistime challenges, committing 1.3 fouls per 90. 6 yellows this season, I wouldn’t be surprised if he commits at least 1 infringement at a price of 1/10.

Sunderland will be looking to get off to a fast start particularly with their recent form. They’ve lost their last 2, one of those being their first defeat at the Stadium of Light.

They’re expert chance creators, generating the 5th most expected goals and the 6th most big chances in the league. They’ve been great at home, but have still picked up 26 points on the road.

Being away from home may be of even more benefit in Wilson Isidor’s case, a striker who’s skill set may be varied but still excels over larger distances. 5 of his goals for the Black Cats have come on the road and I’m confident with Wednesday not having 2 orthodox CBs he can find gaps.

Isidor usually averages 1.1 shots on target per game but I’m confident he can register here. Wednesday have the worst goals per shot on target against and Isidor may be in with a chance of converting at a price of 21/10.

Wednesday aren’t the cleanest team particularly against the better teams. They committed 16 fouls against Burnley in the last league game whilst they also made 13 against Leeds, 22 against Blades and 10 in the visit to the Stadium of Light.

One such player who falls into that category is Shea Charles. He’s the bedrock of the team partnering Bannan and the way Wednesday look to be aggressive in the press he’s either forced to be tenacious and step up or cover a lot of space solely.

Sunderland have a really strong engine room. They’ve got trickery, guile and neat footwork and can run a game or be effective in transition due to the physical prowess in there. They could pose real issues for Wednesday and for Charles.

With Bellingham especially there’ll be space he can attack if Sunderland bypass the initial press and Charles may commit a foul or more. Charles 1+ fouls at ⅕ is good value for someone who’s made 1.4 per 90.

Sunderland are in a tricky point but are still a side littered with quality. As I mentioned they’ve still taken a handsome tally on the road and have only been beaten on 5 occasions on unfamiliar territory.

The first game was a long time ago but the 4-0 score line did show not only the difference in quality in the sides but also the stylistic advantages Sunderland gained. Yes, Wednesday have adapted but some of the raw principles are still in place.

They’re bound to find some form at some point given the talent in there and the fact there have been tangible results under Le Bris. Equally Wednesday have struggled at home, perhaps agains a stylistic flaw, and have much preferred being on the road, taking more points away from Hillsborough.

The form book probably points a little more towards Wednesday but I’m not confident in them in front of the home faithful. Sunderland and draw at 4/11.