Our prediction for this Championship match:
Sheffield Wednesday
Match Time & Date:
04/08/2023
21:00
Prediction: 1-1
Southampton
All eyes will be on legendary Hillsborough stadium when Sheffield Wednesday and Southampton lock horns in the opening match of the new Championship campaign. The Owls are eager to impress on their return to the English second tier, but they face a difficult challenge in Friday’s showdown. New signing Pol Valentin is widely expected to make his official Sheffield Wednesday debut against Southampton. Meanwhile, the Saints were not competitive in the Premier League last term, with the team finishing the process as the rock-bottom side.
New boss Russell Martin is on a quest to bring glory days back to St Marry’s Stadium, but beating the Owls on the road is easier said than done. Taking everything into account, the share of spoils is on the cards in the season opener. The likes of Shea Charles and Ryan Manning have joined Southampton in the summer transfer window, with Mohamed Elyounoussi, Ibrahima Diallo, and Theo Walcott leaving the club.
Highlighted Player (Reece James):
Reece James is a talented Chelsea defender who plays for Wigan Athletic on loan. Born in Redbridge, England on December 8, 1999, James started his youth career at Chelsea football academy at the age of 6. The talented teenager played for England U18 and U19 teams and he currently represents the U20 team on the international stage.
Reece James scored 3 goals in 45 appearances for Wigan in the 2018/2019 Championship campaign, but that did not help the Latics avoid relegation to the League One. His numbers from the 2018/2019 season are impressive as he completed 91 successful tackles, 54 blocks, 44 successful dribbles and 93 clearances.
James, on the other hand, has yet to find the net for the England U20 national team. His main position is right back, but he is capable of playing as both centre-back and defensive midfielder as well. Reece James turned professional in March 2017.
Highlighted Team (Southampton):
Southampton are an English football club that have been playing their home games at St Mary's Stadium since 2001. The Saints were based at The Dell in the past and the capacity of Southampton’s new stadium is 32,505. Southampton wear red and white striped shirts and the colour of the team’s away kit is navy and green.
The Saints have yet to win the Premier League trophy, but they did well to clinch the FA Cup title back in 1976, while participating in the final of the prestigious competition in 1900, 1902 and 2003. Southampton outplayed Manchester United in the 1976 FA Cup final and that is probably the club’s greatest victory ever.
The club are well known for their football academy and Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale is one of the players who began their football carrier at the St. Mary’s Stadium outfit. Southampton’s fiercest rivals are Portsmouth and the two teams square off against each other in the South Coast Derby.
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Lazio
Como
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Liverpool
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Betis 
