Sheffield Wednesday vs Middlesbrough Prediction 19.09.2023

• Competition: England - Championship
• Date: Tuesday, 19th, September 2023
• Kickoff: 20:00 UK / 21.00 CEST
• Venue: Hillsborough (Sheffield)

On Tuesday, a clash between the two lowest-ranked teams in the Championship unfolds, while newly-promoted Sheffield Wednesday hosts Middlesbrough at Hillsborough Stadium.

Sheffield Wednesday earned promotion to the Championship in the previous season, finishing in third place during the regular League One campaign. Their journey through the playoffs was filled with excitement, featuring a memorable semifinal victory over Peterborough and a dramatic final triumph against Barnsley, thanks to Windass' late goal in the 120+3rd minute. In their return to the Championship, the Owls set their sights on survival as the primary objective, but their start has been disappointing, amassing just one solitary point from the initial six rounds.

If there's any consolation for the newcomers, it's the fact that their Tuesday rival isn't faring any better in the 2023-24 campaign. Surprisingly, Middlesbrough - who came close to Premier League promotion last season but fell short in the playoffs' semifinals against Coventry - is virtually unrecognizable in the new campaign. Just one measly point from the opening six Championship matches for a club that many had pegged as a top-six contender is a disastrous performance, and they will need an urgent turnaround.

Sheffield Wednesday vs Middlesbrough Betting Tips: Under 2.5

In this showdown, it's not just about the two teams with the worst records, the two winless squads in the opening six rounds, but also about the two weakest offensive units in the Championship. With only four shared goals scored so far, it's clear where Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough's problems lie in the current season. What's alarming, especially for the newly-promoted side, is their inability to find the back of the net in three out of their last four Championship fixtures. To compound their woes, they didn't even manage a single shot on target in a weekend defeat to Ipswich.

Speaking of the visiting team, it appears that Boro's attacking prowess has significantly dulled since Chuba Akpom, the top scorer in last season's Championship with 28 goals and two assists, left this summer to join Ajax. With a lackluster end to the previous campaign and a dreadful start to the current one, Middlesbrough finds itself in the midst of an 11-game winless streak in the second tier. Considering that neither team is eager to risk further decline, a prudent defensive strategy is anticipated on Tuesday at Hillsborough Stadium, where the scoreline shouldn't exceed two goals.