Verdict: Southampton draw no bet

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

With the 2023/24 Championship campaign getting underway on Friday night, Southampton will travel to Hillsborough when they meet Sheffield Wednesday.

Sheffield Wednesday

Starting with the hosts, producing a famous play-off romp back in May as they secured a crucial Championship return, it is far to say that Sheffield Wednesday have endured a rollercoaster couple of months at Hillsborough. Shockingly parting ways with now-former boss Darren Moore last month and coming under a real public backlash, the Owls have struggled to find much momentum since appointing Xisco Munoz. While Friday’s hosts might have signed off their League One campaign last season with a real flurry, the one-time Watford boss has seen his new squad endure a tricky summer run. Drawing a line under their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 loss at the hands of Premier League returners Luton, Wednesday lost each of their final four friendly appearances by an aggregate score of 7-1. While many around Hillsborough might be hugely excited to get their Championship return underway on Friday night, Munoz’s side could face a tricky opener here.

Team News

Cementing his spot as a modern era icon at Hillsborough following Wednesday’s famous play-off success back in May, former Scottish international Barry Bannan will lead the Owls out on Friday night. Likewise, bagging that stunning last-gasp winner against Barnsley at Wembley and notching 12 League One strikes last season, Josh Windass should spearhead Munoz’s charge this weekend.

Cementing his spot as Wednesday’s number-one last season, 28-year-old Cameron Dawson will once again start between the sticks here.

Southampton

As for the visitors, losing their Premier League status with a real whimper last season after enduring a public top-flight nightmare, Southampton are certainly getting a new era underway on Friday night. Making the decision to appoint ex-Swansea boss Russel Martin this summer, it is no secret that the Saints have an immediate Premier League return at the top of their agenda this time around. Managing to keep hold of a large chunck of their first-team stars, the south coast outfit will know the importance of making an early statement here. However, despite impressing many over the summer with their new possession-based approach, Southampton did sign off their pre-season preparations with a pair of flat performances. Including a 3-2 loss against bitter local rivals Bournemouth on July 25th, Martin’s men will be desperate to show no signs of a summer hangover when they travel to Hillsborough this weekend.

Team News

While both Romeo Lavia and James Ward-Prowse might have been heavily linked with a move away from St. Mary’s this summer, neither have secured an immediate Premier League return and should start here.

Making the move from Swansea this summer on a free transfer, Ryan Manning will start at left-back on Friday night. Likewise, Polish international Jan Bednarek will keep his place at the heart of Martin’s defence at Hillsborough and should be partnered with 29-year-old Jack Stephens.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for an EFL Cup Round of 16 showdown at St. Mary’s back on November 9th, Southampton picked up a nail-biting penalties victory.
• Sheffield Wednesday signed off their pre-season preparations by using each of their final three friendly appearances by an aggregate score of 7-1.
• Southampton signed off the 2022/23 Premier League campaign by mustering just two wins from their final seven matchups away from the south coast.
• The Owls remarkably did not suffer a single League One loss at Hillsborough last season.
• Likewise, Sheffield Wednesday notched 11 strikes in just their final four appearances at Hillsborough.

Conclusion

With their sights firmly set on clinching an immediate Premier League return this season, Southampton will be desperate to lay down an early marker on Friday night. Although Martin’s new squad might have struggled to find much stability during their summer preparations, the one-time Swansea boss could be smelling a real chance when his side make the trip to Hillsborough this weekend. Punching their EFL Cup quarter-final ticket back in November after edging past Sheffield Wednesday on the south coast, an away draw no bet can be found at appealing odds here.

Verdict: Southampton draw no bet

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Olympusbet