Sheffield Wednesday v Norwich: Table-toppers to prove too strong

Sheffield Wednesday v Norwich
Sunday March 14, 12:15
Sky Sports

Sheff Wed suffer afternoon to forget in Berkshire

Relegation-haunted Sheffield Wednesday fell to a 3-0 defeat at Reading last week after having defender Julian Borner sent off. The German received his marching orders for hauling down George Puscas in the area, allowing the Royals to break the deadlock from the spot after half an hour at the Madjeski Stadium. And there was no way back for the Owls.

Wednesday never looked like getting back into the contest and failed to register a single shot on-target. The Owls have now lost six games in a row for the first time in almost a decade, and sit seven points adrift of safety, although new boss Darren Moore felt his side were giving a good account of themselves until Borner's mistake and dismissal.

Speaking post-match, Moore said: "I knew the task coming into it, and what was ahead of us, but it's a wonderful challenge. You have to have a great inner belief, and belief in the players and the structure of the club. "We've got to get back on the training ground and get working again... "It's essential that they stick together, that's got to be the main focus."

Norwich extend winning streak

Norwich consolidated their 10-point lead at the top of the Championship with a commanding display in a 3-0 victory over Luton at Carrow Road last Saturday. Teemu Pukki grabbed his 19th and 20th goals of the season to put the runaway leaders in control of proceedings before half-time before Todd Cantwell wrapped up the points after the break.

The Canaries had an early scare when a James Collins shot hit the post. But the attacking talents of Pukki, Cantwell and Emi Buendia were too hot to handle for the Hatters, who were well beaten by Daniel Farke's stylish side. The Norfolk giants enjoyed 68% possession, and dominated all the major performance data metrics as they made it seven straight wins.

Farke was impressed with his players efforts', saying: "I must congratulate my players for another excellent performance. It was probably even better than the win against Brentford. They want it so much and showed it. All the players, whether they played for 90 minutes or one minute, were committed and focused and it was another good win."

Canaries difficult to oppose

Sheff Wed and Norwich have been regular foes in recent years, and although the Owls have tended to enjoy this fixture, it's the Canaries who've been the more dominant in recent seasons. Norwich were 2-1 winners in the reverse and ran out 4-0 victors on their last visit to Hillsborough, as part of a W4-D3-L2 head-to-head run against Wednesday since 2009.

Sheff Wed 6.6011/2 are in the mire after enduring six successive league losses. The Owls were turned over at Hillsborough by fellow scrappers Rotherham and Birmingham in that sequence with new manager Darren Moore presiding over the club's latest two reverses. Nevertheless, the hosts have suffered only five defeats in 16 (W6-D5-L5) home outings.

Norwich 1.594/7 have suffered a league-low five losses (W23-D7-L5) with the Canaries proving particularly impressive since October's international break. Daniel Farke's outfit have W22-D6-L3 over their last 31 tussles with the hosts also posting the league's best W11-D2-L4 away record - that includes W6-D0-L1 when travelling to bottom-half teams.

Canaries to consolidate top spot

Goals have rarely been regular when Sheffield Wednesday have been involved. The Owls have fired blanks in 44% of their league fixtures this term with matches at Hillsborough proving particularly stingy. The hosts' 16 home outings have produced just 1.50 goals per-game on average, as 12/16 (75%) have paid out for Under 2.5 Goals 1.758/11 backers.

Norwich haven't proven quite so goal shy, particularly on their travels, scoring twice or more in eight of their 11 tussles at sides outside of the top-10. The Canaries are expected to make it eight league wins on the spin on Sunday but I'm happy to chuck in Under 3.5 Goals to the equation to for a more appealing 2.0521/20 shot on the Same Game Multi.