Promotion hopefuls go head to head at Hillsborough

Last updated : 30 September 2016 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday host Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday as two teams with genuine ambitions of reaching the Premier League face each other. The 2 teams met in last seasons Championship play-offs and as this season begins to take shape both are moving towards the business end of the league table.

The Owls go into the game with fitness concerns over centre-back Sam Hutchinson as he was substituted during the midweek win at Blackburn with a back injury. Glenn Loovens is expected to take his place if he is not available. Left-back Daniel Pudil should be ready for a return to action following an injury lay-off and if he is chosen to replace Adam Reach then Reach could come into contention for a starting role in his preferred midfield position.

Influential attacking player Fernando Forestieri started from the bench on Tuesday evening and will be hoping for a recall.

Brighton will be without midfield pair Dale Stephens and Beram Kayal who miss out due to suspension and injury respectively. Experienced former Chelsea player Steve Sidwell is likely to come into the starting 11.

Liam Rosenior and Kazenga LuaLua remain absentees due to ongoing injury problems.

Wednesday have won 4 of their last 5 games and have also won 4 out of 5 at Hillsborough so far this season.

Brighton have kept 4 clean sheets in a row in the Championship and their only away defeat to date came at Newcastle United.

The Owls won the play-off semi-final between the 2 sides back in May, winning the home leg 2-0 and following that up with a 1-1 draw at Brighton. The last 3 league matches between the two teams all finished 0-0.