Sheffield Wednesday vs Ipswich Prediction

Howzit boet! Grab a cold Castle Lager and fire up the braai because this Saturday we've got a Championship clash that looks about as competitive as a vegetarian at a steakhouse. Sheffield Wednesday are hosting Ipswich at Hillsborough, and if the stats are anything to go by, the Tractor Boys should be ploughing through this one with ease.

Let's be honest here - Wednesday are in proper 'kak' territory. Sitting bottom of the pile with -6 points (yes, negative!), they've managed just one win from 37 games this season. Their recent form is about as appetizing as week-old braai leftovers: nine losses and only one draw (a 1-1 against Watford) in their last ten matches. They've shipped 20 goals in that stretch (2.00 per game) while only scoring five. That's fewer goals than I've got fingers on one hand, and let me tell you, that's not enough to win you a game of tiddlywinks, never mind a Championship fixture.

Now look at Ipswich. These okes are sitting pretty in 4th place with 65 points and genuine playoff ambitions. While their recent form shows four draws in their last ten (including a 3-3 thriller against Stoke and 1-1 with Leicester), they've also bagged some massive results - beating Hull 1-0 (who are 5th and averaging 1.90 PPG) and smashing Swansea 3-0. They're scoring 1.60 goals per game recently and have kept four clean sheets in their last ten. Against Wednesday's powder-puff attack that's managed just 0.50 goals per game recently, Ipswich's defense should be having a field day.

Sure, the head-to-head shows Wednesday have a 50% home win rate against Ipswich historically, and they did win the reverse fixture... wait, no they didn't - Ipswich won the last meeting 3-1 in December. The form book is screaming louder than a Springbok fan during the final whistle. Wednesday couldn't score in a brewery with a pocketful of vouchers - they failed to find the net in five of their last ten, including against Blackburn who are struggling themselves (0.80 PPG).

The goal expectancies point to a 2.92 total goal game, but with Wednesday's attack being about as effective as a salad at a proper braai, don't expect them to contribute much to that tally.

Key Points:

• Sheffield Wednesday have won just 1 of 37 league games this season (-6 points, bottom of table)

• Wednesday have conceded 20 goals in their last 10 matches (2.00 per game average)

• Ipswich sit 4th with 65 points and beat high-flying Hull 1-0 in their last away win

• Wednesday have failed to score in 50% of their last 10 games (5 blanks)

• Ipswich have kept 4 clean sheets in their last 10 matches (40% clean sheet rate)

• Wednesday's home record shows 0% wins, 25% draws, 75% losses in last 4 at Hillsborough

Look, at 1.22 the odds are shorter than a minibus taxi's patience, but sometimes you just back the banker and move on. Ipswich are leagues above Wednesday in every department - they create more chances (13.33 shots per game vs Wednesday's 6.20), keep the ball better (55.8% possession vs 39.4%), and actually know where the goal is. Wednesday are more lost than a tourist in Soweto right now. I'm backing the away win with the confidence of a man who's just opened a fresh cold one on a Saturday afternoon. Cheers!