League One play-off betting tips: Peterborough United vs Sheffield Wednesday
- George Dempsey
- 11 May 2023
Peterborough United will hope the momentum of their final day win can lift them to a first-leg victory against Sheffield Wednesday in their League One play-off semi-final on Friday.
The two sides finished 19 points apart in League One, with Sheffield Wednesday in third and Peterborough in sixth.
Date, KO time and TV coverage
League One play-offs, Friday May 12, Kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports Main Event
Predicted score
Suggested betting tips
Peterborough United draw no bet
Over 2.5 goals
Both teams to score
Key stats
Peterborough United have averaged 1.65 goals per game at home this season, while six of their last 14 visitors have scored at least twice.
The home side in this fixture has won six of the last seven meetings, with Peterborough unbeaten in five home matches against Wednesday.
Sheffield Wednesday have scored in 20 of their 23 away League One matches, averaging 1.40 goals per game.
Verdict
Peterborough United left it late in the season to secure their play-off place. They always looked comfortable in a 2-0 victory away to Barnsley on the final day but needed the help of Sheffield Wednesday.
The Owls had nothing to play for other than pride and momentum. Despite that, they were able to hold on for a 1-0 victory over 10-man Derby County, a result which ended the Rams' play-off dreams.
The home side was victorious in both meetings during the 2022/23 League One season. Peterborough beat 10-man Wednesday 2-0 early-on, while Darren Moore's side were 1-0 winners at Hillsborough in March.
Like so many teams at this level, Peterborough lacked consistency for much of the season. The Posh saved their best unbeaten run of the season (six) for March and April, but they have failed to win eight of their last 15 home matches.
The visitors looked guaranteed to secure automatic promotion for much of 2023. Their 23-match unbeaten run had them in pole position, but a run of one win in eight saw them finish five and two points behind Plymouth and Ipswich respectively.
Their current unbeaten home run of 23 matches in all competitions suggests United will need to make the most of the home leg. Moore's men also went 23 unbeaten home and away in the league, the best run in the EFL and Europe's top 10 leagues at the time.
Their recent results suggest a return to that form, with victories over Bristol Rovers, Exeter City, Shrewsbury Town and Derby County ahead of this match.
Wycombe, Bolton, Cheltenham and Ipswich have all won at London Road by three or more goals while keeping a clean sheet in 2023. Peterborough have failed to win eight of their last 15 at home, conceding 21 times.
Although the League One play-offs were a tight affair last season, history shows that both teams tend to score. Before last season, both teams had scored in 11 of 15 matches. Ten of those matches had three or more goals.
Posh averaged 1.65 goals per game at home, while Wednesday managed 1.40 per game. The hosts need to win this game but the visitors have scored in 20 of 23 away league matches, so goals are a good bet.
