27 May 2016
Hull and Sheff Weds set for Premier League promotion battle
    Championship play-off final: Hull City v Sheffield Wednesday
    Date: Saturday, 28 May, 17:00 BST Venue: Wembley
    Coverage: Live commentary on BSports Radio 5 live, BSports Radio Humberside & BSports Radio Sheffield; live text commentary on BSports website.

    Hull City face Sheffield Wednesday in Saturday's Championship play-off final at Wembley, with a place in the Premier League on offer to the winners.

    Tigers boss Steve Bruce has only one injury worry - goalkeeper Allan McGregor (back) is doubtful.

    Eldin Jakupovic, who deputised during the semi-final tie against Derby, is likely to start in goal again.

    Sheffield Wednesday have a fully-fit squad as they make their first trip to Wembley for 23 years.

    Midfielder Sam Hutchinson impressed as a second-half substitute in the second leg of their semi-final against Brighton, and either he or Alex Lopez could partner Kieran Lee in midfield.

    Fernando Forestieri, who is Wednesday's top scorer with 15 goals, makes his first trip to Wembley after helping Watford win automatic promotion last season.

    For Hull, Sam Clucas and Chuba Akpom are both pushing for recalls as they aim to follow in Burnley's footsteps and win promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

    Hull finished fourth in the Championship, two places and nine points ahead of the Owls, who have not played in the top flight since 2000.

    'A together environment can make the difference'

    Hull City manager Steve Bruce told BSports Radio Humberside:

    "The reason why we weren't closer to Burnley and Middlesbrough is we are capable of putting in an awful performance, which usually happens in the second or the third game in a short period of time.

    "But we know we can perform. Nobody has won 3-0 at Derby this year, or beat Burnley and Middlesbrough 3-0, so we know we are capable.

    "If we do get to the heights then it takes a very, very good team to beat us. Sheffield are a good side, with good players, and we will have to be at our best to beat them."

    Sheffield Wednesday head coach Carlos Carvalhal told BSports Radio Sheffield:

    "The players know exactly what they must do in all the moments of the game and we will be ready.

    "I prepare the players the same way we do during the season. We do absolutely nothing different.

    "Sheffield Wednesday fans have shown all season they are special fans, especially in away games, and they know that we are playing for them.

    "We must play together because we believe a positive environment and a very together environment can make all the difference."

    Match stats

    • Hull's last two visits to Wembley have produced 13 goals - they beat Sheffield United 5-3 in the 2014 FA Cup semi-final, before losing the final 3-2 to Arsenal.
    • Both league meetings between these sides this season ended in a draw - with Wednesday's Forestieri scoring in the 1-1 draw at Hillsborough, and being sent off in the 0-0 at the KCOM Stadium.
    • The team finishing fourth in the Championship has been promoted just once in the past 17 seasons (QPR in 2014).
    • The team that finished sixth in the Championship have not been promoted since Blackpool in 2010.
    • Nine of the last 12 Championship play-off finals have been won by a one-goal margin, with seven of these ending 1-0.