After missing out on automatic promotion in a final day draw away at Middlesbrough, Brighton have had to spend the last week preparing for a play-off semi final. Unfortunately for Chris Hughton’s men they have a few absentees in defender Lewis Dunk and central midfielder Dale Stephens who are both serving suspensions. However, Brighton should have the depth to cope with these losses.
Sheffield Wednesday made a large number of changes for their away match at Wolves, where they duly lost 2-1 so manager Carlos Carvalhal will no doubt recall his best players. He welcomes back winger Ross Wallace and Atdhe Nuhiu from suspension and injury respectively.
It is so often the case that the cruelty of the playoff system means the 3rd place team does not win promotion. However, despite the fact that Chris Hughton’s men will have been incredibly deflated after the result at Middlesbrough, I would back them to bounce back here. Sheffield Wednesday seemingly limped into the playoffs after a number of successive draws and I do not think they will be able to handle a very strong Brighton side with a decent away record.