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This fixture at Hillsborough sees Sheffield Wednesday aiming to turn their form around and capitalize on home advantage, while Birmingham looks to maintain their strong away record. Tactical battles will be pivotal, with Sheffield's high press testing Birmingham’s build-up play. The match is expected to be evenly poised, with scoring opportunities for both sides.
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These are our top betting tips and predictions for the match.
The match might see Birmingham taking an early lead, potentially holding or even extending it before halftime. Sheffield Wednesday could rally after the break, but Birmingham’s disciplined approach makes a full-time win or draw a likely outcome.
Both Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham have shown resilience in attack, but their defensive vulnerabilities have also been exposed, especially Sheffield Wednesday's struggles to score consistently. A Both Teams To Score (BTTS) bet could be promising, with a slight lean towards a yes.
Sheffield Wednesday faces Birmingham with a slight underdog status, but recent form suggests Birmingham is marginally favored, especially considering their better away record. The match is expected to be closely contested, with a real chance for Sheffield Wednesday to cause an upset at Hillsborough.
Over 2.5 goals seems probable given the recent offensive outputs and defensive fragilities, especially for Sheffield Wednesday. Betting on over 2.5 goals offers a good prospect, with both sides capable of contributing to an entertaining, goal-rich encounter.
On January 20, 2026, Sheffield Wednesday hosts Birmingham in what is predicted to be a tightly fought encounter likely ending in a draw or a narrow Birmingham victory. Both teams have shown inconsistent form but possess the attacking quality to produce goals. Birmingham’s marginal advantage with their recent away results makes them slightly favored, but Sheffield Wednesday's home strength keeps the outcome uncertain.
The head-to-head record shows a balanced rivalry, with Birmingham winning recent encounters at Hillsborough and Sheffield Wednesday securing a victory at St Andrew's. The last five meetings have often been competitive, with both teams oscillating between wins, draws, and high-scoring matches.
Sheffield Wednesday currently has some key absences in their squad, notably in goal and defensive roles, which could impact their defensive solidity. Birmingham's squad remains relatively intact, which could give them an edge, especially in midfield and attack.
Sheffield Wednesday is expected to employ a 3-5-2 formation, emphasizing wing-backs and high pressing, while Birmingham will likely opt for a balanced 4-2-3-1 setup, relying on quick transitions and set-piece threats. Tactical differences will revolve around high pressing versus possession retention, influencing match tempo.
Birmingham's recent form is slightly superior, reflected in their ability to secure wins away from home, contrasting Sheffield Wednesday's inconsistent results. Sheffield Wednesday's home record provides hope for an upset, but Birmingham's disciplined approach may tip the balance.
See below all the main information for this match.
Sheffield Wednesday has shown a fluctuating form with a recent poor run of six losses in their last 12 matches, but they remain resilient at home with a record of only one defeat in their last five encounters there. Birmingham has generally been more consistent, with better recent results, especially away from home where they have several wins.
Historically, the head-to-head between Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham has been quite balanced, with roughly equal wins for both sides in recent meetings. Sheffield Wednesday's recent victory at Hillsborough and Birmingham's away wins contribute to a closely matched record, promising an intriguing contest.
Expected lineups suggest Sheffield Wednesday will likely deploy a 3-5-2 formation, emphasizing attacking wing-backs and midfield control, while Birmingham might line up with a 4-2-3-1, focusing on a solid midfield base and counterattacking opportunities. Sheffield's pressing tends to be more intense, aiming for high turnovers, while Birmingham favors a possession-based approach, controlling the game and launching quick counters. These tactical differences could lead to a balanced match, with Sheffield Wednesday possibly leveraging high-pressing to unsettle Birmingham, who may seek to exploit space on the counter-attack.