- Full Time
- 90 + 3'H. Cartwright on for C. Connolly
- Ricardo Santos on for G. Otegbayo81'
- 78'N. Powell on for J. Beesley
- 77'M. Pennington
- S. Swinkels on for L. Cooper69'
- M. Burstow on for B. Mitchell69'
- K. Morrison on for L. Barry69'
- 64'A. Phillips on for K. Jackson
- 63'W. Swan on for B. Pointon
- B. Mitchell61'
- 47'A. Baldwin
- Half Time
- Kick Off
-
1
Aden Baldwin1
- 1
Jamal Lowe5 - 2Louie Barry2
- 3Barry Bannan2
- 1Matthew Pennington3
- 2Callum Slattery3
- 3Antoni Sarcevic2
- 1Matthew Pennington1
- 1Antoni Sarcevic3
- 2Barry Bannan3
- 3Max Lowe2
- 1Barry Bannan42
- 2Billy Mitchell34
- 3Yan Valery32
- 1Jake Beesley2
- 2Harry Gray2
- 3Josh Neufville2
- 1Aden Baldwin4
- 2Max Lowe3
- 3Liam Cooper2
Sheffield Wednesday vs Bradford City is a League One clash at Hillsborough on Thursday, with two clubs arriving in very different shape after contrasting campaigns.
Wednesday drop into the third tier after a turbulent, relegation-hit season, while Bradford come off the back of a play-off push in League One. Andy Francis has the best bets, our score prediction and the head-to-head record below. The game kicks off at 8pm BST on Thursday, August 20th.
Premium Tips
Andy sees a competitive opener between a rebuilding home side and a settled visiting one, and the best value looks to be with Bradford and the goals.
| Premium Tip | Odds | Why we’re backing it |
|---|---|---|
| Sheffield Wednesday To Lead At Half Time | 9/4 | Wednesday’s rebuild brings uncertainty over personnel, but it also means a raft of fresh faces, including new arrival Mason Burstow up front, and Hillsborough should be roaring for the club’s first game of this new era. Bradford are the more settled, better-drilled side, but they’re also the ones adjusting to away support and a step up in expectation after last season’s play-off push. Newly assembled sides often start games on the front foot at home, riding the occasion before the opposition’s greater cohesion tells over 90 minutes, so backing the hosts to be ahead at the break looks the smarter angle than a full-time result. |
| Draw, Under 2.5 goals and Mason Burstow over 1.5 shots on target | 7/1 | Wednesday’s overhaul and Bradford’s settled, well-drilled squad point to a cagey opener before either side finds real rhythm, and there’s no recent head-to-head to suggest goals will flow between these two. New Wednesday signing Mason Burstow, in after a productive loan spell at Hull City, should get an early chance to lead the line and stake his claim, with shot volume more likely than end product in his first outing for a side still finding cohesion. Backing a tight, low-scoring stalemate alongside Burstow testing the target repeatedly captures both team form and his individual introduction at 7/1. |
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware — gambleaware.org · Odds correct at time of publishing.
How Sheffield Wednesday go into the game
Sheffield Wednesday endured a nightmare 2025-26, a season wrecked by a heavy points deduction and off-field turmoil that ultimately sent them down from the Championship. They scored just 29 goals and shipped 89 on the way to the bottom of the table.
A summer of rebuilding at Hillsborough means real uncertainty over the starting XI, but the famous old ground and its passionate support remain a powerful weapon. Louie Barry and Jamal Lowe offer attacking hope as the Owls look to steady the ship in League One.
How Bradford City go into the game
Bradford City were one of League One’s stronger sides last season, finishing fourth on 77 points and reaching the play-offs before falling short. Consolidating that progress and pushing for automatic promotion is the aim this term.
Jake Beesley leads the line, with Stephen Humphrys and Will Swan adding a threat in behind. A settled squad against a club still finding its feet makes Bradford a genuine danger on the road.
Sheffield Wednesday vs Bradford City head-to-head
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | No competitive meetings in recent seasons | — | — |
The clubs have spent recent years in different divisions, so there is no meaningful recent head-to-head to lean on ahead of Thursday’s opener.
Sheffield Wednesday vs Bradford City predictions & betting tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradford City or draw (Double Chance) | 1/2 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Stability edge against a rebuilding side. |
| Both teams to score | 4/6 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Both carry a threat in an open game. |
| Under 3.5 goals | 3/10 | ⭐⭐⭐ | A tight, competitive opener expected. |
| Louie Barry anytime scorer | 2/1 | ⭐⭐ | Wednesday’s main attacking hope. |
| Draw 1-1 | 11/2 | ⭐⭐ | Our headline scoreline for a close contest. |
Sheffield Wednesday vs Bradford City score prediction
This has the makings of a close, competitive opener. Wednesday’s upheaval is a concern, but Hillsborough will be bouncing for the first game of a new era, and Bradford’s greater stability suggests they will be right in the contest. We can see the points being shared. Score prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Bradford City.
Read more:
- Latest football news
- Football betting tips
- Best betting sites
- Best free bet offers
- Football accumulator tips
Squawka Suggests
