Sheffield Wednesday vs Portsmouth Predictions

• Sheffield Wednesday won 14 of their final 21 League One games last season before falling to Sunderland in the play-offs.
• The Owls have strengthened prudently in the off-season, recruiting a trio of Rotherham promotion-winners in Will Vaulks, Michael Smith and Michael Ihiekwe.
• The hosts scored 78 League One goals last term, a record only bettered by three teams – two of whom went up.
• Portsmouth were hammered 4-1 at Hillsborough in the final game of last season.

Owls look to lay down a marker

Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth both begin the 2022-23 campaign among the favourites to escape League One, but it’s Darren Moore’s Owls who look to have the tools for a promotion bid after missing out in the play-offs last time out.

Indeed, Wednesday’s charge to the top six was rampant, as they won 14 of their final 21 games before falling against Sunderland – who went on to get promoted – in the play-off semi-finals. Their additions of Will Vaulks, Michael Smith and Michael Ihiekwe bring experience of third-tier promotion, and they already had the third-best attack in the division last term, netting 78 goals, even if their record of 50 strikes against left something to be desired.

Portsmouth flattered to deceive en route to 10^th last term, and are without a win in three games against the Owls (two losses). Danny Cowley’s team managed 68 goals last term, a record only bettered by eight third-tier teams, but struggled for solidity at the other end; Pompey conceded 10 goals in their final five games of last campaign, throughout which they won on just six of their 23 road trips.

Wednesday to win entertaining opener

Given their terrific attacking record last term and decent summer business, Wednesday’s status as promotion favourites is well-warranted and they can start with a win.

However, Moore’s team have only kept one clean sheet in their last 10 games, so adding over 2.5 match goals into the mix can hand punters additional value, and a 2-1 win for the hosts looks a decent correct score play.