Sheffield Wednesday vs Leeds United tips and predictions: Typically tight derby day tussle

Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United renew rivalries on Friday night when the promotion chasers visit their relegation-threatened neighbours at Hillsborough.

Daniel Farke’s side are the form team in the Championship having claimed 31 points from a possible 33 in 2024.

The Whites sit third in the table and have picked up more points than any other side not just through the last 10, but through the last 20 and even 30.

On the other hand, the Owls are one of four teams level on 38 points in the bottom five with the entire bottom-half of the league no more than two wins away.

It’s a perilous position to be in but it’s one Wednesday fans would gleefully have accepted a few weeks ago as they were looking marooned with Rotherham on relegation island.

Danny Rohl’s side have reeled off four consecutive wins beating Millwall, Bristol City, Rotherham and Plymouth.

 

Planet Sport Bet Special: Bet £20 on the match and if Leeds lead at halftime, get a £5 free bet!

 

Those teams may operate on an entirely different plane to Friday’s opponents, but every win is worth three points and confidence will be sky-high.

From the outside looking in, you’d be forgiven for thinking a red-hot Leeds side should win this game, but there are a few extenuating circumstances even Whites fans won’t argue.

Leeds have won one of their last eight trips to Hillsborough and failed to get the better of Wednesday in a 0-0 draw earlier in the season.

Granted, all of those games came in different seasons and circumstances, but this is a fierce rivalry and the Owls never make it easy.

It was notable that on Saturday and Tuesday, the Leeds players looked like they were on their last legs. Their 10-match winning run coupled with FA Cup duty has consumed a lot of energy.

 

Suggested bets

Sheffield Wednesday: Double chance

Both teams to score: No

Under 2.5 goals