Betting tips from AI for Preston North End vs Sheffield Wednesday, 01 January 2026.

Preston arrive at Deepdale as clear favorites and the market reflects it — backed at 1.51 — and for good reason. Home form has been stout (only two defeats in 12 league visits) and APWin pundits expect Preston to take at least a point here.
Sheffield Wednesday are in freefall: one win in 23, five matches without victory, heavy injury problems and an 18-point deduction that has sapped confidence. Their away defence has been porous, making them unlikely to turn this around on the road.
Tactically this reads like a low-risk home win: Preston will control possession and edge a tight contest. Against longshots at 6.21 or the draw at 4.31, the best $1 value over time is to back Preston.

Deepdale is set to be a fortress once again as Preston North End welcomes a beleaguered Sheffield Wednesday. Despite a recent three-game winless streak, including a loss at Wrexham, Preston's home record remains formidable, having lost only twice in 12 league matches. They're locked in a fierce playoff battle, just a point off sixth, and will be desperate to reignite their push, as APWin pundits tip them for a win or at least a draw.

Conversely, Sheffield Wednesday arrives in a state of disarray. Mired at the bottom of the table after an 18-point deduction, they're winless in their last five outings and have secured just one victory from 23 games. Compounded by significant injury woes and a tendency to ship goals on the road, their prospects look bleak. Pundits like Kennedy Kechula predict a Preston victory, and bookmakers alike heavily favor a Preston victory, with odds for a home win sitting at 1.51. This match presents a clear opportunity for Preston to assert their dominance and secure vital points against a team in freefall.

Preston North End enters this match as heavy favorites at 1.51 for good reason, despite their recent three-game winless streak. Their home form at Deepdale has been impressive with only two losses in 12 league matches, making them formidable hosts.

Sheffield Wednesday's situation is dire – rooted to the bottom of the table with just one win from 23 games and currently on a five-match winless run. Their away form has been particularly troubling, conceding goals regularly on their travels. The 18-point deduction has devastated their season, and injury problems have only compounded their struggles.

While Preston's recent form isn't perfect after their 2-1 loss at Wrexham, they remain just a point outside the playoff positions. The quality gap between these sides is substantial, and Preston should view this as a must-win opportunity to revive their promotion push. Sheffield Wednesday at 6.21 shows just how little confidence bookmakers have in the visitors pulling off a shock result.

Preston North End are gearing up for a crucial home clash against a beleaguered Sheffield Wednesday at Deepdale, and the odds couldn't be clearer: Preston at 1.51 to win, with the Owls a longshot at 6.21 and draw at 4.31. As a betting pro eyeing value, I'm all in on Preston to dominate this relegation skirmish turned playoff booster.

Preston's home form is a fortress—losing just twice in 12 league games this season, they've turned Deepdale into a nightmare for visitors. Despite a recent 2-1 stumble at Wrexham snapping their rhythm and leaving them seventh, a point shy of the playoffs, this is prime bounce-back territory. Pundits like those at APWin are backing at least a draw, but I see a full win, especially with both teams potentially scoring as Kennedy Kechula predicts.

Sheffield Wednesday, meanwhile, are in tatters. Rock-bottom after an 18-point deduction, they've mustered just one victory in 23 games and are winless in their last five. Their away record is a goal-fest disaster, shipping plenty while limping on injuries. Bookies echo the sentiment with those lopsided odds, and punters are leaning under 2.5 goals in this mismatch.

For my $1 bet, Preston's solidity and Wednesday's woes scream value on the home win. Expect a gritty 2-1 thriller that keeps Preston's promotion dreams alive.

Preston North End's Deepdale fortress has been rock-solid this season, with only two defeats in 12 home league matches. Facing a Sheffield Wednesday side mired at the foot of the table after an 18-point deduction and winless in their last five, the hosts are poised to capitalize on their opponent's injury woes and defensive frailties.
Despite a recent 2-1 loss at Wrexham halting their playoff push, Preston's resilience at home and Sheffield's tendency to ship goals on the road—evidenced by their dismal away record—suggest a comfortable victory for the Lilywhites.
Bookies heavily favor Preston at 1.51, reflecting their dominance, while the Draw at 4.31 and Sheffield Wednesday at 6.21 offer long-shot value but are unlikely given the form gap. Expect Preston to bounce back and strengthen their playoff ambitions.

Preston North End heads into this EFL Championship clash as the overwhelming favorite, with odds of 1.51 reflecting their dominance at Deepdale. Their home form has been exceptional, losing just twice in 12 league matches, and even though they’re on a three-game winless streak, their resilience at home cannot be underestimated. Sheffield Wednesday’s dire situation amplifies Preston’s edge; the Owls have only one win from 23 games and sit rock bottom after an 18-point deduction. Their away record is abysmal, conceding goals freely, which makes their 6.21 odds look generous but unappealing.

The APWin pundits and Kennedy Kechula both lean toward Preston securing a positive result, with the latter suggesting both teams could score. While Preston's playoff push suffered a setback with their recent 2-1 loss at Wrexham, their motivation to bounce back against struggling opposition should be high. A draw, priced at 4.31, might appeal to risk-averse bettors, but the gulf in quality and morale tilts the balance firmly toward the hosts.

Given Preston’s strong home form and Sheffield Wednesday’s inability to string together results, backing Preston seems like the smartest move. The odds suggest a low-scoring affair, aligning with bookies favoring under 2.5 goals, but Preston’s attacking intent and Sheffield’s defensive frailties hint at entertainment.