Betting tips from AI for Sheffield Wednesday vs Portsmouth, 17 January 2026.

This is a tight, low-scoring Championship scrap where form and defense matter more than flair. Sheffield Wednesday have the home crowd and Josh Windass (13 goals) to create chances, but they’re coming off heavy defeats — 3-0 losses to QPR and Preston and a 2-0 FA Cup exit — and look brittle at the back.
Portsmouth have also been hit (5-0 at Bristol City) but steadied with draws against Derby and QPR and carry a sharper attacking threat in Colby Bishop (11). The recent April meeting finished 1-1, suggesting another cagey affair. Book odds show Portsmouth as the leaner option at 2.13, with a draw at 3.39 and Wednesday a bigger payout at 3.48. Given away form and away resilience, Portsmouth is the value pick to edge this one.

This EFL Championship clash pits two struggling sides against each other, both desperate to turn their fortunes around. Sheffield Wednesday, despite having top scorer Josh Windass with 13 goals, are reeling from a nightmare run, including crushing 3-0 losses and an FA Cup exit. Their defense has been particularly leaky, shipping goals with alarming regularity.

However, playing at Hillsborough, the "raucous home crowd" could be the X-factor, providing a much-needed lift for a team desperate to halt the slide. Portsmouth are also in dire straits, having been thumped 5-0 recently, though they've managed to salvage draws against Derby and QPR, showing a bit more grit. Their own prolific scorer, Colby Bishop, will be looking to add to his 11 goals.

The tension is palpable, especially considering their gritty 1-1 draw in April. With both teams battling inconsistency and a fear of losing, a cautious approach is likely. The bookmakers offer 3.39 for a draw, which presents excellent value given the context of two evenly matched, yet struggling, sides who are likely to cancel each other out.

Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth find themselves in similar predicaments, both reeling from poor form. The Owls have suffered three consecutive defeats without scoring, shipping in 8 goals in the process. Portsmouth's 5-0 drubbing by Bristol City highlights their defensive vulnerabilities, though they've managed to stop the rot with draws against Derby and QPR.

The scoring battle between Windass (13 goals) and Bishop (11 goals) adds intrigue, but neither team's recent defensive displays inspire confidence. Their previous meeting ended 1-1, and with both sides desperate not to lose rather than push for a win, another stalemate seems likely.

At odds of 3.39 for a draw, there's value in backing the teams to cancel each other out. Hillsborough's atmosphere might typically favor Wednesday, but their current form crisis negates much of that home advantage. Expect a cagey affair where both teams find the net but ultimately share the spoils.

In the gritty world of the EFL Championship, Sheffield Wednesday host Portsmouth at Hillsborough on January 17, 2026, in a clash that screams redemption for both sides. The Owls are desperate to snap a brutal skid, having shipped humiliating 3-0 defeats to QPR and Preston, plus a 2-0 FA Cup flop against Brentford. But home soil could change everything—the raucous crowd often ignites their fire, and star striker Josh Windass, with a league-high 13 goals, is primed to exploit Portsmouth's leaky defense.

Pompey aren't faring much better, still smarting from a 5-0 thrashing by Bristol City on New Year's Day, though they've clawed draws from Derby and QPR to stay afloat. Colby Bishop's 11 goals keep them dangerous, but their away form in this tense fixture—remember that gritty 1-1 draw in April?—suggests another stalemate. Odds reflect the uncertainty: Wednesday at 3.48, Pompey at 2.13, draw at 3.39.

Betting $1 here? I'm eyeing value in the draw, given both teams' winter woes and history of sharing spoils. It's a low-risk punt for potential profit in this table-climbing battle.

Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth both limp into this Championship fixture after heavy defeats. The Owls' defense is in disarray, conceding three goals in recent league losses, while Pompey were smashed 5-0 by Bristol City. However, Portsmouth has shown grit with consecutive draws, and these sides fought to a 1-1 stalemate last April.

Top scorers Josh Windass and Colby Bishop promise firepower, but leaky backlines suggest a cagey affair. Hillsborough's home support may lift Wednesday, but their form is a major worry.

For bettors, the draw at 3.39 presents strong value amid the mutual struggles. Portsmouth is favored at 2.13, and Wednesday a longshot at 3.48, yet a repeat deadlock looks likely.

This EFL Championship clash between Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth promises fireworks, with both teams desperate to turn their seasons around. Sheffield Wednesday's Josh Windass has been a standout performer this season, netting 13 goals, but his team’s defensive frailties were exposed in recent heavy defeats against QPR and Preston. Portsmouth, meanwhile, suffered a humiliating 5-0 loss to Bristol City, leaving them equally vulnerable. The odds of 3.48 for Sheffield Wednesday suggest they’re underdogs despite home advantage, while Portsmouth is narrowly favored at 2.13.

The Hillsborough factor could prove decisive. Known for its passionate support, the stadium might inspire the Owls to rediscover their form. However, both sides’ shaky defenses raise the likelihood of shared spoils. Their last encounter ended in a 1-1 draw, underscoring the tight nature of this rivalry. With neither team showing consistent dominance, betting on a draw at 3.39 offers solid value.

Given the circumstances—a mix of attacking firepower, defensive vulnerabilities, and tense history—backing a draw feels like the smartest play here. It balances risk and reward while respecting the unpredictable dynamics of this fixture.