Sheffield Wednesday vs. Oxford Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 12 April 2025 - bettingexpert
Get ready for an intriguing Championship clash this Saturday as Sheffield Wednesday host Oxford at Hillsborough. With both teams battling for a strong finish in the league, this match holds significant importance.
Sheffield Wednesday sit in 13th place with 53 points, aiming to climb up the standings. Their recent form has been mixed (DDLLW), and coach Danny Röhl will be keen to see an improvement, especially in defense, as they have struggled to keep clean sheets.
Oxford, currently 18th with 45 points, are showing resilience, having scored in their last seven matches. Gary Rowett’s side has a tough task ahead but will take confidence from their sporadic defensive solidity, having kept two clean sheets in the last five games.
Key players to watch out for include Sheffield Wednesday’s top scorer Josh Windass and Oxford’s Mark Harris. The Owls are tipped to win with bookmaker odds of 1.63, but keep an eye on both teams scoring, as they have shown defensive vulnerabilities this season.
Recommended bet: Both teams to score (Yes).
Sheffield Wednesday vs Oxford Prediction & Betting tip
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Sheffield Wednesday vs Oxford Prediction | |
|——————————————-|———————————–|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Both teams to score (Yes) | 1.75 | -
Both teams have demonstrated scoring capability: Oxford has netted in their last seven matches, while Sheffield Wednesday often participates in high-scoring games.
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Defensive frailties on both sides: Sheffield Wednesday have conceded 63 goals and Oxford 60 this season, suggesting a likelihood of goals from both ends.
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Historical performance supports this: Recent encounters have seen goals from both teams, with their last match ending 3-1 in favour of Sheffield Wednesday.
Sheffield Wednesday vs Oxford Odds
As we gear up for the clash between Sheffield Wednesday and Oxford, let’s have a look at the odds.
| Sheffield Wednesday vs Oxford Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Sheffield Wednesday | 1.63 |
| Draw | 3.75 |
| Oxford | 5.27 |
Sheffield Wednesday head into this encounter as favorites, with bookmakers offering odds of 1.63 for a home victory.
A draw, while less likely, is priced at 3.75—reflecting a balanced yet unpredictable Championship clash.
Oxford has higher odds at 5.27, underlining their underdog status in this fixture, but not ruling out the potential for an upset.
Sheffield Wednesday Team Analysis
Sheffield Wednesday Recent Performance
Sheffield Wednesday’s recent form has been a mixed bag, with one win, two draws, and two losses in their last five matches. Their last five results are shown in the table below:
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackburn | Sheffield Wednesday | 2025-04-08 | Championship | 2-2 (Draw) |
| Sheffield Wednesday | Hull | 2025-04-05 | Championship | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Cardiff | Sheffield Wednesday | 2025-03-29 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Sheffield Wednesday | Sheffield United | 2025-03-16 | Championship | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Norwich | Sheffield Wednesday | 2025-03-11 | Championship | 2-3 (Win) |
Recent matches have highlighted some defensive vulnerabilities, with Sheffield Wednesday failing to secure any clean sheets in their last five games. Despite this, they have maintained an average of 1.20 goals scored per match during this period. Their last outing against Blackburn ended in a 2-2 draw, indicating the potential for high-scoring encounters.
Conceding an average of 1.6 goals per match this season, the team will need to tighten up defensively to improve their standing. With upcoming games against Stoke and the potential return of key players from injury, Sheffield Wednesday will aim to stabilize their form as the season winds down.
Sheffield Wednesday Key Players
Sheffield Wednesday’s attacking hopes will largely rest on the shoulders of Josh Windass, the team’s top scorer with 11 goals. Windass has been a crucial figure, providing the cutting edge up front and generating chances for his teammates.
Expected lineup for Sheffield Wednesday:
- Goalkeeper: Pierce Charles
- Defenders: Pol Valentin, Michael Ihiekwe, Yan Valery, Marvin Johnson
- Midfielders: Gabriel Otegbayo, Shea Charles, Djeidi Gassama, Svante Ingelsson, Anthony Musaba
- Forward: Callum Paterson
Key individual battles to watch include Callum Paterson up against Oxford’s central defenders Michal Helik and Ben Nelson. Paterson’s physicality and ability to hold up play could be pivotal in breaking down Oxford’s defence. Additionally, keep an eye on the wing battles, particularly with Djeidi Gassama and Anthony Musaba likely to face off against Przemyslaw Placheta and Siriki Dembélé.
Sheffield Wednesday Suspensions & Injuries
Sheffield Wednesday have no suspensions to report ahead of their clash against Oxford. However, they do have a couple of significant injuries:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Di’Shon Bernard | Knee injury | Late April 2025 |
| Max Lowe | Knee injury | Late May 2025 |
These absences could impact the team’s defensive solidity, particularly with Bernard being a key defensive contributor. The squad will need to rely on their upcoming young talents and depth to fill the gap left by these injuries and maintain their form as they approach the season’s final stretch.
Sheffield Wednesday Tactics and Formation
Sheffield Wednesday Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Callum Paterson
- Midfield Trio: Djeidi Gassama, Svante Ingelsson, Anthony Musaba
- Defensive Midfielders: Gabriel Otegbayo, Shea Charles
- Defensive Weakness: No clean sheets in the last five games.
Danny Röhl has opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing a balanced approach between defense and attack. Callum Paterson leads the line, relying on the creative support of Gassama, Ingelsson, and Musaba to unlock the opposition’s defense. In midfield, Otegbayo and Charles are tasked with shielding the back four and breaking up play.
Given their defensive vulnerabilities and recent injury woes, especially with Di’Shon Bernard and Max Lowe sidelined, Sheffield Wednesday will need their midfield to provide extra coverage in defensive transitions while looking to exploit Oxford’s weaknesses in the 46-60 and 76-90 minute intervals.
Oxford Team Analysis
Oxford Recent Performance
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | Queens Park Rangers | 2025-04-09 | Championship | 1-3 (Loss) |
| Oxford | Sheffield United | 2025-04-05 | Championship | 1-0 (Win) |
| Middlesbrough | Oxford | 2025-03-29 | Championship | 2-1 (Loss) |
| Oxford | Watford | 2025-03-15 | Championship | 1-0 (Win) |
| Hull | Oxford | 2025-03-12 | Championship | 2-1 (Loss) |
Oxford’s recent form has been a mixed bag, alternating between wins and losses. Their record over the last five matches is LWLLW. They have conceded a total of eight goals while scoring five, indicating defensive frailties but a fighting spirit in attack.
Averaging 1.00 goals per game and managing two clean sheets in their last five outings, Oxford exhibits both scoring capability and vulnerability at the back. Their 18th position indicates a challenging season, but recent performances against higher-tier teams show their potential to cause upsets.
Key points to note:
- Oxford has scored in all of their last seven matches in the Championship.
- The team has a tendency to concede goals in the final quarter of games, particularly between the 76-90 minute mark.
Oxford Key Players
Key players for Oxford in this matchup include their top scorer, Mark Harris, who has netted six goals this season. His battle against Sheffield Wednesday’s defensive line, notably Michael Ihiekwe and Yan Valery, will be crucial.
Another player to watch is Cameron Brannagan, who will play a pivotal role in midfield battles. His ability to control the tempo and link play will be vital against Sheffield Wednesday’s midfield duo, Shea Charles and Gabriel Otegbayo.
Siriki Dembélé, on the left wing, adds flair and creativity, and his duel with Sheffield Wednesday’s right-back, Pol Valentin, could be a game-changer.
Expected lineup for Oxford:
- Goalkeeper: Jamie Cumming
- Defenders: Hidde ter Avest, Ben Nelson, Michal Helik, Ciaron Brown
- Midfielders: Cameron Brannagan, Will Vaulks, Przemyslaw Placheta, Ole Romeny, Siriki Dembélé
- Forward: Mark Harris
Oxford Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Max Woltman | Leg injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Greg Leigh | Muscle injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Elliott Moore | Hamstring Injury | Late April 2025 |
Oxford will be missing some key players due to injuries this match. Max Woltman and Greg Leigh’s returns are imminent, but they won’t feature against Sheffield Wednesday. Elliott Moore’s absence until late April could also be challenging, especially against a Sheffield Wednesday side known for exploiting defensive weaknesses.
These injuries may prompt Gary Rowett to make tactical adjustments, possibly affecting their squad depth and performance against a robust opponent.
Oxford Tactics and Formation
Oxford’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Mark Harris
- Midfield Duo: Cameron Brannagan and Will Vaulks
- Defensive Setup: Strengthened by recent clean sheets against Sheffield United and Watford
- Notable Strategy: Quick counter-attacks and creating chances during the 46-60-minute interval
Oxford’s approach balances defensive solidity with an emphasis on swift transitions. Gary Rowett has consistently favoured the 4-2-3-1 setup, which provides defensive stability while giving room for creative players like Przemyslaw Placheta and Ole Romeny to initiate attacks. With a key forward like Mark Harris leading the line, Oxford aims to exploit any lapses in Sheffield Wednesday’s defence, especially as they have conceded an average of 1.6 goals per game this season.
Expect to see Oxford targeting Sheffield Wednesday’s defensive vulnerabilities through well-timed counter-attacks and strategic pressing in midfield.
Sheffield Wednesday vs Oxford Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford United | Sheffield Wednesday | 2024-12-14 | Championship | 1-3 (Win) |
| Oxford United | Sheffield Wednesday | 2023-04-07 | League One | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Sheffield Wednesday | Oxford United | 2022-12-17 | League One | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Oxford United | Sheffield Wednesday | 2022-01-22 | League One | 3-2 (Win) |
| Sheffield Wednesday | Oxford United | 2021-10-02 | League One | 1-2 (Win) |
Sheffield Wednesday and Oxford have faced off five times in recent years. Sheffield Wednesday has slightly better form with two wins, while Oxford has also won twice, with each team managing a draw once. Expect a competitive matchup at Hillsborough given their historical encounters.
Odds accurate as of 04.10.2025 15:04, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
