Sheffield Wednesday vs. Sunderland Predictions: We're taking the Black Cats to progress to Wembley

Wycombe Wanderers booked their place in the League One play-off final yesterday, edging out MK Dons over two legs. Which one of these huge clubs, Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland, will join them at Wembley on the 21st May. The Black Cats have a slight 1-0 first leg advantage, thanks to Ross Stewart's strike, but will it be enough in front of a partisan Hillsborough crowd? We have asked our lower league specialist @OddsT3rrier to preview this massive clash and he's given us his best two bets for tonight. 

Sheffield Wednesday have it all to do after a lifeless performance at the Stadium of Light. They can consider themselves fortunate to only be a solitary goal down heading into this huge showdown in front of a sold out home crowd at S6. Its likely that boss Darren Moore will change things up in an effort to provide more attacking spark, which should see Josh Windass recalled in the place of Saido Berahino. Elsewhere, Moore will likely be without Ciaron Brennan and Dominic Iorfa, with this fixture coming too soon for both.

Sunderland boss Alex Neil will be frustrated that the Black Cats couldn't turn their dominant performance into more goals on Friday. They had by far the better of the chances but it took an Owls mistake for them to take the lead. Neil is still likely without young Everton loanee Nathan Broadhead as well as Carl Winchester and Leon Dajaku. We may see a recall for Jay Matete in midfield in the place of Patrick Roberts, who will switch back to the left wing. 

First up and I'm sticking my neck on the chopping block. Wednesday come into this tie as evens favourites in front of their own fervent support and have a great record at Hillsborough, winning seven of their last eight home games. However, they are up against a Sunderland side that are undefeated in their last 14 games in the league and have kept clean sheets in five of their last six away games.

All of this points me to a stalemate. I can't see Wednesday beating a well organised Black Cats outfit in such a vital game and the longer the game goes without a goal, the more frustrated the home crowd will become. I've been to Hillsborough before for away play-off ties and whilst it can be deafening, it can also turn pretty toxic quickly. I can see this tie ending in a draw but I'm going to edge my bets by taking Sunderland double chance at 8/9. That way we are covering the draw and the shock Sunderland win, which wouldn't surprise me. 

The second pick is a similar one to last weeks long shot. I've gone for Wednesday striker Lee Gregory to have two shots on target and Sunderland left centre back Dennis Cirkin to be carded. 

Gregory cut a dejected figure on Friday but should see more of the ball here at home. He should also be partnered by Josh Windass, who is relentless off the ball and is a nuisance for opposition defenders. Windass was in great form at the start of the season before his injury and I can see him creating plenty for Gregory tonight. The 33-year-old Englishman has had a decent season in front of goal, scoring 16 goals and mustering 38 shots on target from 84 shots. His output has flourished at the end of the season and he recently had 11 shots, four on target and a hat trick against Fleetwood. He passed the 2+ SoT line in four of his last five league games. 

I've paired this up with Cirkin to be cautioned. No player for Sunderland has more cautions (10) than the 20-year-old this campaign and he was on a ridiculous run at the end of the season, picking up seven in his last nine league games! Up against Gregory and Windass tonight, I can see him getting into bother again. Particularly if Sunderland are trying to close the game out at the end. 

The double pays 7/1 at William Hill and will be my second pick for a small stake.

Good luck if following and gamble responsibly.