It has been a compelling international break but the Championship returns to action this weekend with some very interesting fixtures.
Sheffield Wednesday host promotion rivals Middlesbrough at Hillsborough on Friday evening looking to stretch their unbeaten run to five matches, having most recently defeated Bristol City 2-1.
Meanwhile, Tony Pulis will be looking for a reaction from his side after they lost 2-0 to Nottingham Forest during their last encounter.
Read on for Sheffield Wednesday vs Middlesbrough live stream options, team news, predicted XIs, stats and TV channel info.
When is Sheffield Wednesday vs Middlesbrough?
Competition: EFL Championship
Venue: Hillsborough
Date: Friday, 19 October
Kick-off: 7:45 PM BST
Match preview
Promotion specialist Pulis will be looking to bounce back after Boro suffered their second league defeat of the season just under a fortnight ago, but they face stern opposition in the form of Sheffield Wednesday.
The former Crystal Palace and West Brom manager will be hoping his side can replicate their achievements last term and cement a position in the top six, though he will be aiming to secure automatic promotion this time around.
Meanwhile, after a tentative start to the season – which included no wins in their opening three league matches – the Owls have steadied the ship under Dutch coach Jos Luhukay, and are now looking like real contenders for a play-off spot come the end of the season.
Luhukay will pit his wits against one of the Football League’s most tactically disciplined and experienced coaches in Pulis, but his side have shown real verve in recent weeks and the ex-Stuttgart boss will fancy his chances.
Last campaign, Sheffield Wednesday failed to beat Middlesbrough, losing 2-1 on home turf, and drawing 0-0 during Luhukay’s third match in charge of the club at the Riverside Stadium.
Where can I watch live?
Sheffield Wednesday vs Middlesbrough can be viewed by UK residents on Sky Sports Main Event HD – channel 401 on Sky and channel 501, or 511 for SD, for Virgin Media users.
The game is also available to watch on fuboTV.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about fuboTV
How will this result impact the table?
Victory for Middlesbrough could see them go joint-top of the table with 25 points alongside Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United – who play Derby County on Saturday – as well as leapfrogging Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United and Pulis’ former club West Brom.
For Sheffield Wednesday, a win would take them level on points with Middlesbrough as well as climbing them above Nottingham Forest in fifth, who face a tough clash against Norwich City the following day.
A draw could see the Owls drop out of the top six depending on results elsewhere, while Boro will remain in a play-off position regardless of the weekend’s other fixtures.
Why are Middlesbrough one of the promotion favourites?
Pulis has received criticism in the past for supposedly espousing a somewhat antiquated brand of football, but the effectiveness of his sides to grind out results and form formidable defensive structures is highly impressive.
This season, Middlesbrough have only conceded six goals in 12 matches – a league-best – and have incredibly kept eight clean sheets, including against heavy-hitters Sheffield United, Leeds and West Brom.
The problem for Pulis is in the goalscoring department as his side have scored the joint-second-fewest number of goals in the top-half, but that will not concern the Welshman as he is notorious for nicking 1-0 wins.
A match destined for a draw?
Sheffield Wednesday vs Middlesbrough will offer an interesting insight into the play-off push this season, but given Pulis’ aforementioned defensive resoluteness, and the fact that the Owls have drawn their last three matches at home, this looks destined for a stalemate.
The Sheffield club have clinched respectable draws against Leeds, West Brom and Stoke during their last three matches at Hillsborough, and Boro will be keen strengthen things up at the back having lost to ten-man Forest last time out, so expect a tense clash on Friday.
Team news
Sheffield Wednesday welcome back a number of their key players with recently-injured Morgan Fox, Sam Hutchinson and Sam Winnall all playing in an Under-23s’ match on Friday, and could feature this weekend.
Middlesbrough meanwhile have no fresh injury updates but could welcome a return to the starting XI for Britt Assombalonga who has played second fiddle to Jordan Hugill the previous two matches.
Predicted Sheffield Wednesday XI: Dawson; Penney, Hector, Lees, Pudil, Palmer; Pelupessy, Bannan; Reach, Fletcher, Forestieri.
Predicted Middlesbrough XI: Randolph; Friend, Flint, Ayala, Shotton; Besic, Saville, Howson; Downing, Hugill, Braithwaite.
Predictions & Betting Tips
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1. Both teams to score and draw @ 3/1
A draw seems a probable outcome here given the personnel and circumstances, but Sheffield Wednesday vs Middlesbrough could offer a few surprises in terms of goals.
Middlesbrough fired a blank in their last match, so it seems unlikely the club will go two on the spin without scoring, while Sheffield Wednesday have conceded more goals than any team in the top 10 (18), though they have scored the fifth-most (19).
Key Stat: Sheffield Wednesday have played out score-draws in their last three home matches.
Tip: Both teams to score and draw @ 3/1 with William Hill – bet here.
Odds correct at time of publishing (16/10/2018, 15:15)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
2. Both teams to score and under 2.5 goals @ 5/1
This match will be a tense affair with both sides eager to keep their promotion campaigns alive, and Sheffield Wednesday have found the back of the net in every league match they have played this season.
A Friday night atmosphere at Hillsborough will also give the Owls huge incentive to put on a show, but given Pulis’ experience, he will know how to silence a big crowd. That being said, this match should contain goals given Sheffield Wednesday’s goalscoring form at home.
Key Stat: Sheffield Wednesday have only failed to find the back of the net once at home since January.
Tip: Both teams to score and under 2.5 goals @ 5/1 with William Hill – bet here.
Odds correct at time of publishing (16/10/2018, 15:15)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
3. Britt Assombalonga to score anytime @ 8/5
The 25-year-old is a clinical finisher and given Jordan Hugill is yet to find the back of the net for Middlesbrough since joining on a season-long loan from West Ham, he may be reinstated into the starting XI on Friday.
He will be keen to pick up where he left off last season and rediscover the form that originally saw him explode onto the scene at Nottingham Forest – what better way to do it than against the wayward defence of Sheffield Wednesday.
Key Stat: No team in the top half of the Championship has conceded more goals than Sheffield Wednesday.
Tip: Britt Assombalonga to score anytime @ 8/5 with William Hill – bet here.
Odds correct at time of publishing (16/10/2018, 15:15)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
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