Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers have found form in recent weeks and are both unbeaten in four ahead of Tuesday's Championship meeting at Hillsborough.
Those runs have placed them in the promotion reckoning and this match will be Rovers' second trip across the Pennines in quick succession, with them sitting sixth in the table after winning 1-0 at Hull on Saturday.
The Owls drew 1-1 with Preston and have an incredibly well-rounded home record, with three wins, four draws and three defeats.
Blackburn's away form is symmetrical, recording three victories, as many defeats and a trio of draws and these two well-matched and in-form teams could find themselves cancelling each other out.
Sheffield Wednesday v Blackburn Rovers betting tips and predictions
Draw - 5/2
The famously packed festive programme is looming and midweek games prompt fatigue and make it difficult for teams to remain consistent.
The situation could lead to the sides neutralising each other and, with Wednesday ninth in the table - three places and five points behind Blackburn - a draw might be acceptable to both Danny Rohl and John Eustace.
Supporters of both clubs came into the season with worries after each finishing three points clear of the relegation places last term, but they have confounded those expectations, leaving fans and players alike with genuine hopes of finishing in the play-offs.
Both previously spent sustained spells in the top-flight, Rovers winning the title in 1994/95, but are now ensconced in the second tier and possibly lack the quality to consistently trouble the Championship's better sides.
It is worth noting that Wednesday's last three at home have finished with precisely two goals - the most recent two of those being 1-1 draws - while Rovers have won their last trio of fixtures 1-0.
That suggests a tight affair, with a 1-1 draw available at 11/2, while exactly two goals in the match comes with a price of 5/2.
Michael Smith anytime goalscorer - 11/5
Michael Smith was on the fringes of the first team during the opening stages of the season, but has come good in recent weeks and, after netting off the bench against Hull, he has started the Owls' last two games and his equaliser in the draw with Preston took him to five goals for the campaign.
The 33-year-old has done the rounds during his nomadic career, but has always been a streaky striker and appears to be enjoying one of his hot spells.
Rovers have kept three straight clean sheets, but Smith is the type of player who can undo their structure.
The former Rotherham United forward is decent in the air and sharp to loose balls on the ground, making him an awkward presence who can end Blackburn's recent defensive run.
Barry Bannan to be booked - 13/5
Wednesday captain Barry Bannan missed the weekend draw with Preston through suspension but should return to the side on Tuesday.
The Scot remains among the Championship's best passers, but has never been especially mobile and, at 35, isn't getting any quicker.
Rovers' energetic midfield, featuring Todd Cantwell, Sondre Tronstad and Lewis Travis, could expose Bannan's lack of legs, meaning he may find his name going into referee Joshua Smith's notebook.
Read more football betting tips and predictions on site
Sheffield Wednesday v Blackburn Rovers odds
Sheffield Wednesday - 23/20
Draw - 5/2
Blackburn Rovers - 11/5
View the full market and more odds for Sheffield Wednesday v Blackburn Rovers on site
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
Related Articles
Championship
2024/25 Championship Title & Promotion Odds
Here are the latest title and promotion odds for the 2024/25 Championship season.
Mark Mothershaw
30 Dec 24
