James Buttler looks ahead to Friday evening's Championship match between Pompey and the Owls and finds the very best bets.
Pompey are struggling
Portsmouth find themselves rock bottom of the Championship table as they prepare to host Sheffield Wednesday on Friday evening. With just one win against QPR this season, two games ago, and five draws, they’ve at least not yet become detached from the rest of the pack in the relegation zone.
Their home form at Fratton Park has seen them claim three draws and score only two goals with seven going in their own net. It’s not form that any punter is going to look at and think ‘wow, this is where my betting money is going’.
Are the Owls getting wiser?
Sheffield Wednesday are four points better off and in 17th place. The Owls will view this match as a chance to claim three points and move up to 10th in the table. They could then sit back and watch the rest of the weekend unfold with a contented smile on their face.
But other than a 2-1 win at Coventry in their last away match, Wednesday have only collected four points in five away trips, albeit they came from their last two away fixtures.
It would seem that boss Danny Rohl is slowly starting to make his Wednesday side more of a force after a 4-0 opening game win over Plymouth Argyle was followed by just one point from the next five matches.
An away win likely
Wednesday should win on Friday and the 13/10 on that result seems a good starting point for my tips on this match. It’s a bet you place on a Wednesday side that’s failed to score in three of their last four league games, purely because Portsmouth are the lesser of two uninspiring sides. Put it this way, there’s better TV to watch on a Friday night.
With Pompey goals a rarity, under 2.5 match goals is also worth a look at 11/10. Combine the Wednesday win and under 2.5 and you’ll get 4/1. Wednesday win and keep a clean sheet is 11/4.
I’ll be honest with you, I’ll save my betting money for the rest of the weekend’s matches.
James’ Championship Tips
Sheffield Wednesday to win at 13/10
Under 2.5 match goals at 11/10
Sheff Wed win and Under 2.5 match goals at 4/1
Sheff Wed win and BTTS no at 11/4
As always, please gamble responsibly.