Our prediction for this Championship match:
Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough go head to head at Hillsborough in the closing match of Tuesday’s program. The Owls have been flying low in the first half of the season, with the team still eyeing their first win of the process, but the midweek clash could be the turning point for Xisco Munoz’s troops. Dominic Iorfa has joined the likes of Mohamed Diaby and Mallik Wilks in the recovery room, with Di’Shon Bernard likely to step up.
The Boro are after their first victory of the season as well and, taking everything into account, we believe that there is a big value in betting on both teams to score. Anfernee Dijksteel remains on the sidelines as well as fellow defender Matt Clarke, speaking of the visiting team. You should know that both teams managed to find the net in each of their last four meetings in the English second tier.
Highlighted Player (Paddy McNair):
Following in the footsteps of his compatriot Jonny Evans, Paddy McNair joined the Manchester United academy in 2011 and he was surprisingly handed first team debut by Louis van Gaal at the start of the 2014/2015 season.
Despite his fragile age, the talented central defender has been putting in some very mature performances ever since, and everything suggests he could go on to become an important player at Old Trafford in years to come. After representing a number of youth sides, McNair made his first appearance for the Northern Ireland senior national team in a March 2015 friendly vs Scotland, before making another three outings as his side secured their place at the Euro 2016 finals.
Northern Ireland coach Michael O’Neill surprisingly played McNair in holding midfield in the March 2016 friendly vs Wales. After the youngster impressed in the middle of the park, O’Neill went on to suggest that the Manchester United starlet may be used in midfield rather than defence in years to come in the national team.
Highlighted Team (Sheffield Wednesday):
Sheffield Wednesday are one of the two famous clubs from the city of Sheffield (South Yorkshire). The Owls compete in the English second tier (Championship) and they play their home matches at Hillsborough.
The venue was the scene of the Hillsborough disaster which occurred in 1989 when 96 Liverpool supporters were crushed to death in the FA Cup semi-final. It has to be noted that the World Cup (1966) and the Euro (1996) matches were played at Hillsborough.
Sheffield Wednesday have won four First Division trophies (1902/2903, 1903/1904, 1928/1929, 1929/2930) and they finished the 1960/1961 campaign in second place in the standings. The Owls have clinched three FA Cup trophies (1896, 1907, 1935), with the team winning the League Cup in 1991.
Sheffield Wednesday defeated English giants Manchester United (1-0) in the title game. Sheffield United are regarded as the Owls’ main rivals and the two teams face each other in the Steel City derby.