Owls ready to make first Championship play-off appearance

Last updated : 12 May 2016 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday host Brighton & Hove Albion at Hillsborough in the Championship play-off semi-final 1st leg with a place in the Wembley final at stake.

The Owls made 10 changes to their starting line-up as they went down to a 2-1 defeat at Wolves on the final day of the regular season and all of the players rested for that game are expected to return to action.

Ross Wallace will also be available for selection having completed a 3-match ban and Sam Hutchinson is in contention following a spell on the sidelines.

Brighton drew 1-1 at Middlesbrough last weekend, had they won they would have secured an automatic promotion spot. A further setback to come out of that game for the Seagulls was that influential midfielder Dale Stephens will miss both legs of the semi-final having received a straight red card.

Defender Lewis Dunk also misses out at Hillsborough as he serves the 2nd game of a 2-match ban.

Brighton finished comfortably above Wednesday in terms of points over the season but in head to head games this campaign the two teams can't be separated with both matches having resulted in 0-0 draws.

The Owls impressive home record which has seen them defeated on only 2 occasions at Hillsborough this season is matched by the Seagulls away record as they have only lost twice on their travels.