Alfreton Town vs Sheffield Wednesday Predictions and Tips

Alfreton Town vs Sheffield Wednesday prediction for this friendly match. Sheffield Wednesday face Alfreton Town at the Impact Arena on Saturday in a pre-season friendly for the 2024-25 Championship campaign. Read on for all our free betting tips and predictions.

Club friendly | 6 July 2024 at 1pm UK at Impact Arena

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Alfreton Town vs Sheffield Wednesday Predictions

Will Sheffield Wednesday’s new signings shine against Alfreton Town?

Sheffield Wednesday kick off their pre-season preparations for the 2024-25 Championship campaign with a friendly against Alfreton Town at the Impact Arena. This game serves as a crucial warm-up for both teams as they prepare for their league seasons, with Wednesday looking to cement their Championship status and Alfreton targeting promotion from the National League North.

Match preview

Alfreton Town go into this pre-season friendly with high hopes for the upcoming National League North season. After a commendable fifth place in the last term, they fell short in the playoff quarter-finals against Boston United. The Reds managed 80 points, their best tally since winning the division in 2011.

Despite home field advantage in the playoff game, they succumbed to a shootout loss after a goalless draw in regulation and overtime. Manager Billy Heath will be looking to build on last season’s successes and push for promotion to the National League. This friendly against Sheffield Wednesday is the first of several challenging pre-season fixtures, including games against Notts County, Barnsley, Chesterfield and Rotherham United.

Sheffield Wednesday, under the guidance of Danny Rohl, had a dramatic end to their Championship season. They have been mired in the relegation zone for most of the campaign but have managed some remarkable form in recent weeks to secure their survival. Rohl, who led the team with 39 points in 40 games, led them to an unbeaten run in the last six games.

Key wins over Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion, where they scored three goals in each game, lifted them out of the bottom three. A decisive 2-0 win at Sunderland on the final day, with goals from Liam Palmer and Josh Windass, confirmed their place in the Championship for another season. Now Rohl will be looking to build on that momentum and ensure a stronger start to the new campaign.

News and Team Lists

Expected Alfreton Town Line-up:

Willis; Clackstone, Wiley, Perritt, Newall; Lund, Cantrill; Fewster, Waldock, Whitehouse; Day

Alfreton will be without several key players from last season, including defenders Kennedy Digie and Shaun Brisley. Forwards Jordan Thewlis, top scorer with 17 goals, and Matt Rhead are also gone. New signing Billy Whitehouse from Chorley is expected to bolster their attacking options. Jake Day, who scored 11 goals last season, will lead the line, with Liam Waldock providing creativity from midfield.

Expected line-up for Sheffield Wednesday:

Hammer; Valery, Diaby, Ihiekwe, Johnson; Bannan, Ingelsson; Musaba, Windass, Kobacki; J Lowe

Sheffield Wednesday will feature several signings, including Ben Hamer in goal, Yan Valery and Max Lowe in defence. Midfielder Svante Ingelsson is likely to join captain Barry Bannan at center following the departures of Will Vaulks and George Byers. In attack, Jamal Lowe and Olaf Kobacki are expected to play significant roles, supported by Djeidi Gassama and Josh Windass.

Key areas and player duels

The midfield battle will be crucial, with Sheffield Wednesday’s Barry Bannan and Svante Ingelsson up against Alfreton’s Adam Lund and George Cantrill. Bannan’s playmaking ability and Ingelsson’s box-to-box energy will be key for the Owls, while Lund and Cantrill will need to disrupt their pace and provide a solid base for Alfreton’s attacks.

In attack, Sheffield Wednesday’s new signing Jamal Lowe will be a key player to watch. His speed and finishing ability will test Alfreton’s restructured defence. For Alfreton, Jake Day’s physical presence and goalscoring prowess will be vital against the experienced defensive duo of Diaby and Ihiekwe.

Game expectations

Sheffield Wednesday will likely dominate possession, capitalizing on superior passing accuracy and midfield control. Rohl’s side will look to exploit the flanks, with Valery and Johnson providing wide, overlapping runs. Alfreton will likely take a more pragmatic approach, focusing on quick transitions and set pieces to create scoring opportunities.

Strengths and weaknesses

Sheffield Wednesday:

Strengths:

• Strong defensive organization under Rohl, highlighted by their undefeated run in the last six games last season.
• High accuracy in possession and passing, allowing them to control the tempo of matches.
• Versatile attacking options with the addition of new signings like Lowe and Kobacki.

Weaknesses:

• Potential instability if key players underperform given their reliance on a core group.
• Inconsistencies in converting possession into goals as seen in their average of 1 goal per game last season.

Alfreton Town:

Strengths:

• Resilience and ability to compete, highlighted by fifth place finish and playoff run.
• Strong attacking threat, especially from kicks and counter attacks.
• A balanced midfield with players capable of both defensive and offensive contributions.

Weaknesses:

• Defensive fragility, especially with the departure of key defenders.
• Lack of depth in the squad, which could be exposed in a physically demanding match.
• Potential over-reliance on a few key players for creativity and goals.

Criticism of Alfreton Town’s approach

Alfreton’s strategy of relying heavily on a few key players for both defensive solidity and attacking strength is a significant concern. The departures of Digie, Brisley, Thewlis and Rhead have left voids that have yet to be adequately filled. While Billy Heath’s tactical approach has brought some success, his inability to build a deeper and more versatile squad could hamper Alfreton’s promotion ambitions.

The lack of significant reinforcements suggests a challenging season ahead, with defensive vulnerabilities likely to be exposed against stronger opponents like Sheffield Wednesday.

Analysis of expected objectives

Sheffield Wednesday averaged 1 goal per game last season, indicating their ability to find the net consistently. Alfreton’s defensive record of conceding 50 goals highlights their susceptibility to conceding goals. However, Wednesday’s improved attacking options with new signings suggest they could exceed their usual scoring rate in this friendly.

Key areas and player duels

The midfield will be a key battleground, with the playmaking skills of Bannan and Ingelsson pitted against the defensive solidity of Lund and Cantrill. In attack, Jamal Lowe’s duel with Alfreton’s new defensive setup will be crucial. Defensively, Diaby and Ihiekwe will be tasked with containing Jake Day, Alfreton’s main attacking threat.

Game dynamics

Sheffield Wednesday will look to dominate possession and use their passing accuracy to control the game. Their wide play and quick transitions will be key to breaking down Alfreton’s defence. Alfreton will likely adopt a counter-attacking approach, focusing on quick breaks and set pieces to create chances.

Suggestions for improvement

Sheffield Wednesday need to maintain their defensive discipline and improve their conversion rate in front of goal. Rohl’s tactical adjustments have stabilized the team, but converting possession into goals will be crucial. Alfreton need to strengthen their defense and bring in new signings to provide stability and resilience. Addressing their defensive weaknesses is critical to improving their overall performance.

Forecasts

Best bet: Sheffield Wednesday -2 to win

The depth and superior quality of Sheffield Wednesday’s squad make them clear favorites to win this friendly. Their strong finish to the Championship season and the addition of several signings provides a solid foundation. Alfreton’s defensive issues and lack of depth further tip the balance in the Owls’ favour. Sheffield Wednesday’s ability to control possession and create scoring opportunities will likely see them dominate the match.

Correct Score Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 Alfreton Town

Given Sheffield Wednesday’s defensive solidity and Alfreton’s challenges in rebuilding their defence, a 3-0 win for the Owls looks likely. Wednesday’s attacking prowess, bolstered by new signings, should see them break down Alfreton’s defense on more than one occasion. Meanwhile, Rohl’s own backline should be able to keep a clean sheet against Alfreton’s weakened attack.

Scorer Prediction: Jamal Lowe will score

Jamal Lowe, one of Sheffield Wednesday’s new signings, is expected to make an immediate impact. His speed, skill and finishing ability make him a prime candidate to score. Given Alfreton’s defensive fragility, Lowe’s debut is likely to be marked by a goal. His ability to exploit spaces and finish chances will be crucial to the success of Wednesday’s attack.

Corner prediction: Sheffield Wednesday will win more corners

Sheffield Wednesday’s attacking style and possession-based approach will naturally lead to more corner opportunities. Last season, they averaged 5.3 corners per game. Alfreton’s tendency to defend deep and soak up pressure will likely result in them conceding more corners. With Wednesday expected to dominate attacking play, he is likely to win more corners than Alfreton.

Breakthrough Prediction: Total Corners Over 9.5

The attacking intentions of both teams suggest a large number of corners. Sheffield Wednesday’s average of 5.3 corners per game and Alfreton’s defensive style, which often results in corners being awarded, support the prediction of over 9.5 corners a game. The dynamic play and established market strategies of both sides will likely lead to more corner situations.

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