Leicester v Sheffield Wednesday: Back both teams to score

Andy Tongue
03 April 2014

Leicester fans can sense the Championship finishing line approaching

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With a home win for the leaders priced up too short for his liking, Andy Tongue is looking elsewhere for the value in Friday night's live Championship game

"The Foxes have conceded in their last two home games against Yeovil and Blackpool - both bottom six outfits"
Back both teams to score at 1.9310/11

Leicester v Sheffield Wednesday
Friday April 4
19:45
Live on Sky Sports One

Leicester

The Foxes were deserved winners in the top of the table clash at Burnley last Saturday, even allowing for their hosts losing star man Sam Vokes to injury early on, and they showed admirable resilience to twice hit back at Wigan on Tuesday night and earn an important point that edged them a step closer to the title.

Nigel Pearson showed he's not afraid to make bold changes by hauling off both Turf Moor goalscorers David Nugent and Chris Wood to introduce fresh legs as his men chased that equaliser on Tuesday. This being their third clash in six days, he may make changes to his starting XI to shake things up and utilise the strength-in-depth in his squad.

Their home form is rock solid - the only blemish was a 2-0 loss to Nottingham Forest back in November when they were on a hot run - so it's no surprise that the market makes them heavy odds-on favourites here.

Sheffield Wednesday

Stuart Gray has guided Wednesday away from the foot of the table and his side can start looking forward to next season after climbing to the heady heights of 14th place. Initially caretaker manager when Dave Jones was sacked at the start of December, Gray showed enough promise for his position to be made permanent and that decision has been thoroughly vindicated.

However, the Owls form is noticeably less impressive on the road than at Hillsborough. At home they have won nine times but away, after drawing nine of their first 14 fixtures, they have lost the last three and won just three times overall.

Striker Leon Best has proved an astute loan signing with three goals in recent games to partly offset the loss of Conor Wickham, whose scoring prowess while on-loan from Sunderland lifted them out of the bottom three at the end of last year. On-loan Chelsea defender Sam Hutchinson, who was badly missed in last week's heavy defeat at home to Watford, hopes to return from injury.

Both Teams to Score

Although a Leicester victory is obviously the most likely result here, I don't want to be backing them at 1.51/2 which is pretty short, especially as that win at Burnley was the only one in their last four games. Against potentially dangerous opponents who can mix it with the division's top sides, as they showed when beating QPR 3-0 a couple of weeks ago, I prefer to back both teams to score at 1.9310/11 which looks decent value.

The Foxes have conceded in each of their last two home games against Yeovil and Blackpool - both bottom six outfits - and the visitors can get themselves on the scoresheet here.

Cash Out Opportunity

Wednesday are looking to bounce back after the 4-1 mauling at home to Watford - Gray was absent attending his son's wedding and I think we could well see a reaction from his side. As mentioned above Leicester have actually drawn three of their last four games. Are they tightening up slightly with the finishing line in sight?

On that basis I'm happy to lay them at 1.51/2 in the hope that the game is still level at half-time, or the visitors take a shock lead, and look to cash out for a guaranteed profit.

Recommended Bet
Back both teams to score at 1.9310/11

Cash Out Tip
Lay Leicester to win at 1.51/2

2013/14 P/L

Wagered: 42pts
Return: 41.71pts
P/L: - 0.29pts

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