- Bolton Wanderers are in better form than Sheffield Wednesday, losing just 1 of their last 5 matches (W2, D2) and have conceded just five goals in their five away fixtures in all competitions.
- Sheffield Wednesday have lost 3 of their last 5 fixtures and failed to win 3 of their 5 home fixtures in all competitions (W2, D2, L1).
- The head-to-head record in the last 2 meetings is close (W1, D0, L1), although Wednesday won the last meeting in the EFL Cup 2025/2026 away from home in a 7-5 thriller.
Wanderers are on a roll
Bolton Wanderers arrive as the betting favorite for their away trip to South Yorkshire to face the Owls and will be confident they can get a positive result at Hillsborough.
The visitors have been more consistent than their hosts in all competitions, losing just 2 of their last 10 (W5, D3), while Wednesday have won two, drawn three and lost five of their 10 most recent games.
Steven Schumacher's men are adaptable and can control the ball well, creating overloads wide and playing with verticality when they have the ball, whereas Henrik Pedersen's side are more direct and reactive, which could suit them in this cup clash.
Owls are on a mixed run
The Owls beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1 at home in their previous Championship fixture and also saw off Preston North End in a friendly by a 3-2 score at Hillsborough, but they were drubbed 3-0 in the friendly by the Baggies the weekend before.
Wednesday have not been rock-solid at home with 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat from 5 games in all competitions this term, so Bolton will feel confident of causing them problems.
Their recent three results in all competitions have seen them draw 0-0 with Everton at home, 1-1 at Fleetwood Town and 1-0 at NAC Breda, so they have been hard to beat of late.
Ruben Rodrigues a potential difference maker
Bolton look the more likely winner on the form book and the odds, but it is a little tough to take them at 9/10 given Sheffield Wednesday are 53/20 and the draw 27/10.
Wanderers should be able to pin the hosts back in the final third and create openings on the flanks, but the best angles for profit here are Over 2.5 at 7/10 and Both Teams To Score - Yes at 31/50.
Backing Bolton on the draw no bet market seems the best play as Wednesday are sure to be motivated and their game plan does suit them in the cup, where they can make the most of their transitions behind Bolton's midfield shape.
Ruben Rodrigues has been the star of Bolton's recent run, scoring four of their five goals in the last five games and will again be the biggest threat to the Wednesday defense.
