Big gulf on paper as Wrexham head to Hillsborough
Sheffield Wednesday welcome Wrexham to Hillsborough Stadium on 31/01/2026 in a clash that, on form and numbers, feels more like a mismatch than a local derby. The Owls arrive rooted to the foot of the Championship table — 24th after 28 matches — having scraped just one win and managed only 18 goals all season while shipping 56. Their recent run reads disastrously: a sequence of defeats punctuated by two draws, and five straight losses in the most-recent results. Confidence is low, the fans will be edgy in a 34,835-capacity ground, and the team’s attacking returns — seven goals at home this season — barely register. Those underlying figures point to a unit struggling to create and convert meaningful chances.
By contrast, Wrexham sit sixth and travel with momentum. They have 44 points from 29 games, and their recent form includes big results — a 3-2 win at QPR on 24 January and a string of positive outcomes that have lifted spirits. Wrexham are averaging more than 11 shots per game across the campaign, with a superior shots-on-target count and a better defensive balance that has produced seven clean sheets on the road and a healthier goal return overall. The head-to-head earlier in the season ended 2-2 in a fixture where Wrexham were the home side, suggesting few surprises when these teams meet; however, the trendlines since then run sharply in the visitors’ favour.
How the match is likely to play out and betting context
Tactically, expect Wrexham to press an advantage. Sheffield Wednesday’s attack has been blunt — only one home win and a low shots average relative to their opponents — while their defence has been porous. Wrexham’s attacking metrics show more dangerous attacks and a higher shot volume, which should create openings even on the road. The bookmakers reflect this gulf: the match-winner market heavily favours Wrexham with odds around 1.43 and a calculated probability near 70 percent, whereas a home win is priced long at 7.20.
For readers who want to dig deeper into goal markets and timing, consider checking the analysis on the right time to place bets on goal markets, and if stake discipline matters to you, this primer on emotional control when placing bets is worth a read.
Betting suggestion Based on form, season-long numbers and bookmaker pricing, the clearest value lies on the 1X2 market backing Wrexham to win. The visitors are consistent, healthy in both attack and defence compared with Sheffield Wednesday’s severe woes; the market price around 1.43 reflects that but still represents the most rational single-market play. Stake sensibly and consider a conservative unit given the away trip dynamic, but the data points to a Wrexham victory as the primary betting tip.
