Huddersfield v Sheffield Wednesday preview: Championship play-off first leg live on Sky Sports
Sunday 14 May 2017 10:58, UK
Huddersfield will be without suspended goalkeeper Danny Ward for the first leg of their play-off semi-final against Sheffield Wednesday, which is live on Sky Sports.
Ward, on loan from Liverpool, was sent off in the defeat to Cardiff on the final day of the regular season and serves a one-game ban, so Joel Coleman is likely to step in.
Town's leading goalscorer Elias Kachunga is expected to return to contention after missing the last two games with a calf injury. Midfielder Philip Billing (knee), on-loan Chelsea forward Kasey Palmer (hamstring) and defender Jon Gorenc Stankovic (knee) have been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Wednesday are expected to be without striker Gary Hooper, who missed the final-day defeat to Fulham due to a calf problem. Head coach Carlos Carvalhal rested Barry Bannan, Adam Reach and Ross Wallace against Fulham and all three will be back in contention.
Sam Hutchinson (calf) made his first appearance in over a month last week and is hoping to start alongside Kieran Lee in central midfield. Striker Steven Fletcher is likely to start, with Fernando Forestieri, Jordan Rhodes, Sam Winnall and Atdhe Nuhiu all vying to partner him up front.
Opta stats
Huddersfield lost both regular league meetings against the Owls this season without scoring a goal (2-0 away in January, 1-0 at home in October).
Sheffield Wednesday haven't lost any of their last seven matches against the Terriers (all Championship), since losing against them in November 2013 (W5 D2).
Only two fifth placed teams in the Championship have won promotion through the play-offs in the last 13 seasons - Crystal Palace in 2012/13 and Burnley in 2008/09.
The team in fourth place has won the Championship play-offs in two of the last three campaigns (Hull in 2015/16 & QPR in 2013/14); this after a run 15 years without promotion for the fourth placed side.
Huddersfield will compete in the second tier play-offs for the first time in their history. They won promotion from the League One play-offs in 2011/12 with a victory on penalties over Sheffield United.
Wednesday have reached the final of both play-off campaigns they've played in (4-2 AET v Hartlepool in League One 2004/05, lost v Hull in Championship 2015/16 final).
Prutton's prediction
This has got all the makings of a classic play-off encounter over the two legs. Although it's not a blockbuster Yorkshire derby like a Sheffield derby, it's still bound to be fierce solely because of what's at stake.
David Wagner might just have his team to peak at the perfect time and if they come through this tie, his reputation will be enhanced further. After managing his squad in recent weeks, Wagner now has two games where he can send his team out to go hell for leather in order to reach Wembley.
Huddersfield find themselves in a similar position to what Wednesday were in last season: wide eyed and not knowing what to expect from these types of matches. That could be a big positive.
However, Wednesday, with their experience and the added strength in depth within their squad, could have the edge in that regard. This tie will go down to the final stages of the second-leg, so I'm firmly on the fence for Sunday's clash.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds: 6/1)
Betting
Huddersfield are the 13/10 favourites to bag the victory, while Sheffield Wednesday are priced at 21/10 and the draw is 11/5. Both Elias Kachunga and Nahki Wells are Sky Bet's 5/1 favourites to score first, while Fernando Forestieri is priced at 11/2. Nakhi Wells and Steven Fletcher both to score in 90 minutes has been enhanced from 8/1 to 10/1. The Terriers are 3/1 third favourites to gain promotion, while Carlos Carvalhal's men are marginally shorter odds at 5/2 to go all the way.
