Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday’s Premier League credentials will be put to the test for one last time on Saturday afternoon as the pair contest the Championship Play Off Final at Wembley.
Promotion to the Premier League is said to be worth at least £170 million for the winners of the match while the losers must go back to the drawing board to plot another assault on the Championship top six again next season.
Hull City go into the match looking to return to the Premier League at the first attempt after their relegation last season. The Tigers go into the Wembley showpiece on the back of a nervy 3-2 aggregate success over Derby County in the Play Off Semi Finals.
City manager Steve Bruce is likely to again be without first choice goalkeeper Allan McGregor who has a back injury and Eldin Jakupovic is again set to deputise. The Tigers will also be without on loan Manchester United striker Nick Powell who has a thigh problem.
Sheffield Wednesday qualified for the Championship Play Off Final with the impressive 3-1 aggregate victory over third placed Brighton & Hove Albion and are looking to secure a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2000.
Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal has the luxury of being able to select a starting line up from a fully fit squad of players although he is likely to keep faith with the side who valiantly secured The Owls’ place in the Final after recording a professional 1-1 draw over Brighton & Hove Albion at The Amex Stadium in the Semi Final Second Leg.
The match promises to be an absolute nail biter with both league meetings between the two sides ending in draws. Hull City finished nine points ahead of Sheffield Wednesday following the conclusion of the regular Championship season but the form book will count for nothing in Saturday’s head to head 90 minute battle for promotion.
