As Hull and Sheffield Wednesday prepare to do battle for a place in the Premier League, we bring you the ultimate guide to the Sky Bet Championship play-off final - live on Sky Sports.
Zack Steffen Jersey . Saturdays Wembley showdown has been billed as the £170m match with a spot among Englands elite, as well as unrivalled riches, waiting for the victor at the end of the 90 minutes or more.Steve Bruces Tigers will be looking for an instant return to the Premier League after being relegated at the end of the 2014/15 season while Carlos Carvalhals Owls have been absent from the top flight since the 1999/00 campaign. So how did they make it to Wembley, who is available for the game and what does Sky Sports Football League expert Ian Holloway have to say? Read on to find out...How did they get here?The two sides had differing seasons, with Hull sitting pretty in the automatic places until as late as February before slipping into the play-off spots while Sheffield Wednesday surged into sixth and held off the likes of Cardiff and Ipswich to seal sixth place and a shot at promotion. Andrew Robertson, Jake Livermore and Tom Huddlestone celebrate after the first-leg at the iPro Stadium. The Tigers faced Derby in their semi-final and stormed into a 3-0 lead during the first leg at the iPro Stadium with goals from Abel Hernandez, Andrew Robertson and a Jason Shackell own goal. And though the Rams came storming back into the tie at the KC Stadium, taking a 2-0 half-time lead after Johnny Russell and Robertsons own goal, they failed to find an elusive third. Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final second leg between Hull City and Derby County. It was a similar story for Wednesday, who dominated Brighton in the first leg thanks to great strikes from Ross Wallace and Kieran Lee but were given a scare early on by their opponents during the return fixture at the Amex Stadium. Ross Wallace set Sheffield Wednesday en route to victory against Brighton The Seagulls controlled the opening period but though Lewis Dunk finally pulled one back to raise hopes of a fightback, Wallace restored Wednesdays two-goal aggregate cushion nine minutes later and it proved enough. Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final second leg between Brighton and Sheffield Wednesday. Play-off previous Hulls last play-off appearance came in the 2007/08 season where they were promoted to the Premier League following a 1-0 victory over Bristol City at Wembley after Tigers legend Dean Windass scored his now-famous 38th minute volley. Highlights of the 2008 Championship play-off final between Bristol City and Hull. Prior to that, Hull had lost in the 2001/02 Division Three play-off semi-final to Leyton Orient, but will be making their fourth visit to Wembley in the last eight years - their last being the 3-2 FA Cup final defeat against Arsenal in May 2014.Sheffield Wednesday are yet to play at the new Wembley, but are unbeaten in their last five appearances in the play-offs. Their previous campaign came in the 2004/05 season where they were promoted to the Championship after beating Hartlepool 4-2 in the League One play-off final at Cardiffs Millennium Stadium. Head-to-headThese two could not be separated in the regular season, with both league meetings ending level. The sides drew 1-1 at Hillsborough in October with star strikers Fernando Forestieri and Abel Hernandez on the scoresheet - the latter accidentally injuring referee Keith Stroud - while the reverse fixture at the KC Stadium produced a stalemate.Saturday will see the 50th meeting between Hull and Sheffield Wednesday and the Owls edge the overall record, winning 20 games to the Tigers 11, with 18 draws. Highlights of the Championship play-off semi-final first leg between Derby and Hull at the iPro Stadium. The managersSteve Bruce could become the first ever manager to win four promotions to the Premier League, having previously done so twice with Birmingham - once via the play-offs - and having steered Hull to automatic promotion at the end of his first season in charge in 2013.But the former Manchester defender is sure his own experience - and that of his players over the last few seasons - will stand them in good stead. Steve Bruce could win promotion for the fourth time in his managerial career - more than anyone else. Ive been fortunate, near enough to 1,000 (games) as a player and something like 800 as a manager and in among that lot Ive had a few big games, Bruce said.Weve got a squad that has been there (Wembley) before in the last couple of years; lets hope thats a bit of an advantage. Weve got some good players and lets hope we can achieve what we want to achieve.That is in stark contrast to Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal - whom Bruce admitted he had not heard of ahead of his appointment in June 2015 - but the Owls boss has had play-off success in his homeland, winning promotion to the Portuguese top flight with Vitoria Setubal in 2003/04. Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal was relatively unknown when he arrived at Hillsborough. Carvalhal has certainly made himself known after a stellar season with the Owls and has - in his own words - awoken the giant. We have achieved something. I remember we was in 19th in the league, so we have grown together - me, the staff, the owner and the fans like a team, Carvalhal said after the semi-final second leg.The self-confidence of the club is much higher this season. The club was sleeping and we have woken up the giant. The final is something that we deserve but its not finished yet.Team newsBruce has confirmed goalkeeper Allan McGregor (back) will not recover in time to feature with Eldin Jakupovic the man to take his place, but every other outfield player is fit and in contention.Manchester United loanee Nick Powell remains an absentee due to a thigh problem with David Meyler, Sam Clucas, Harry Maguire and Arsenal loanee Chuba Akpom among those pushing for recalls to the starting line-up. Eldin Jakupovic is set to start between the posts for Hull Carvalhal says his players are fresh and ready to go - but the Owls boss faces a midfield dilemma.Alex Lopez partnered Kieran Lee at the Amex but was substituted at half-time in the second leg, with Sam Hutchinson catching the eye. On loan Aiden McGeady has been deemed surplus to requirements and has already met up with the Republic of Ireland squad to begin preparations for Euro 2016.Ian Holloways key menHull City - Moses Odubajo Moses Odubajo is Hull Citys key man, according to Ollie He was sensational in the first-leg against Derby and is progressing into a top-class attacking full-back. He reminds me of Seamus Coleman, who I had at Blackpool. The way he flies up and down the wing will give Sheffield Wednesday all sorts of problems.Sheffield Wednesday - Fernando Forestieri Fernando Forestieri could be key for Sheffield Wednesday, thinks Ian Holloway He links the play between midfield and attack. Hes so crucial to the way Sheffield Wednesday play. Theres so much talent in his boots - Premier League level. I cant believe Watford let him go. Ive thoroughly enjoyed watching him play this season and the crowd love him. Its a match made in heaven.Match stats Sheffield Wednesday players celebrate after the Sky Bet Championship Play Off semi final at Brighton. It is the first time the second tier play-off final has been contested by two Yorkshire clubs.It is 5,859 days since Sheffield Wednesdays last Premier League game - a 4-0 final day win v Leicester at Hillsborough on May 14, 2000 (relegation had been confirmed in the previous game).Hull go into the game having won five of their last eight games (D1 L2).Sheffield Wednesdays only defeat in last seven games was 2-1 to Wolves on the Championships final day, having made 10 changes from their previous game.Sheffield Wednesday are making their first appearance at Wembley since the 92-93 season, when they played at the stadium on four occasions (W1 D1 L2), including losing both the League Cup and FA Cup finals to Arsenal.BettingHull are 5/4 favourites with Football League sponsor Sky Bet to secure promotion within 90 minutes as Sheffield Wednesday are rated 12/5 outsiders, while the clash is 21/10 to go to added time. With both league meetings ending in draws, promotion to be settled in extra-time is a 6/1 chance while a penalty shoot-out is considered a real possibility at 7/2.Abel Hernandez, who has four goals from his last five appearances, heads the first goalscorer betting at 4/1 while Fernando Forestieri and Gary Hooper are considered the Owls main threats at 6/1 apieceOllies verdictWill it be the experience and strength in depth that Hull City have in abundance that will shine on the day or will it be the surprise package in Sheffield Wednesday, who have a little bit more flair about them? I cant wait to find out. Its going to be a fascinating game. Sheffield Wednesdays Ross Wallace celebrates scoring the opening goal against Brighton at Hillsborough. Ive just got a sneaky feeling Wednesday, who believe theyre on the way back, will be celebrating in the Wembley sunshine on Saturday after a dramatic extra-time victory. OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 6/1) with Sheffield Wednesday to in extra-time (12/1)Watch the Championship play-off final on Sky Sports 1 HD from 4pm on Saturday, May 28 - or follow with our live blog on skysports.com and the Sky Sports apps. Also See: Ollies Wembley predictions The richest game in football How to win a play-off final Sky Live: Hull v Sheff Wed
Jorge Villafana Jersey . -- Marty Havlat scored three goals for the first time in nearly nine years, and the San Jose Sharks prevented Colorado from clinching the Central Division title with a 5-1 victory over the Avalanche on Friday night.
Sacha Kljestan Jersey . The Raptors have been outscored 88-66 in the opening quarter over a three-game span to begin the month of February. Their most recent loss, 109-101 in Sacramento on Wednesday, was eerily similar to Saturdays defeat at the hands of the Trail Blazers.ATLANTA -- Jarrod Saltalamacchia knows most teams dont get many chances to beat Atlanta Braves closer Craig Kimbrel. Saltalamacchia drove in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning, Henderson Alvarez won for the first time in three starts and the Miami Marlins beat the Braves 3-2 on Thursday night. "He threw me a lot of sliders tonight, which is not what hes done in the past, but Id swung over a slider two nights ago and struck out," Saltalamacchia said. "I dont blame him. He made a mistake and I was able to do something with it." In taking three of four games, the Marlins won just their second series in the last 10 against the Braves at Turner Field. Alvarez (7-5) gave up six hits, two runs and one walk with four strikeouts in eight innings. The Marlins are 13-3 in his last 16 starts. Kimbrel (0-2), pitching in a non-save situation with the score tied 2-all to begin the ninth, struck out Garrett Jones and had Marcell Ozuna struck out, too, but the ball a wild pitch rolled a few feet from the plate after bouncing off catcher Evan Gattis shin guards and Ozuna reached safely. With Saltalamacchia batting, Ozuna advanced to second on another wild pitch and scored on the RBI single to centre, easily beating B.J. Uptons throw to the plate. Saltalamacchia went 3 for 4 with two doubles. "I think its my third time facing him," Saltalamacchia said. "Hes an All-Star closer. Hes got great stuff and really has a great idea of what hes doing out there. In that situation, Im just trying to not get too big, put a ball in play." Kimbrel, a four-time NL All-Star, allowed one hit and one run and struck out two. He blamed himself for the wild pitches. "Thats part of baseball," Kimbrel said. "Not everything goes perfect every time you go out there. Youve just got to find a way to get through it and unfortunately we didnt do it tonight." Atlanta dropped 1 1/2 games bbehind first-place Washington in the NL East.
Erik Palmer-Brown Jersey. . Miami, which is eight games out, moved into a tie with the New York Mets for third. Marlins closer Steve Cishek earned his 24th save in 27 chances, retiring Freddie Freeman, Justin Upton and Jason Heyward on fly balls in the ninth. Alvarez had struggled against the Braves, going 0-2 with a 6.86 ERA in four career starts, and he was coming off an outing that ended after 2 2-3 innings when San Franciscos Joe Panik hit a liner off his left shin. Chris Johnson hit his eighth homer, a two-run shot in the second that gave the Braves a 2-0 lead. "As far as today, that one fastball I just left out over the plate," Alvarez said through an interpreter. "He handled it, but as far as my struggles against the Braves, its just been coincidence." The Marlins tied it 2-all in the fifth on Adeiny Hechavarrias RBI single and Christian Yelichs forceout. Aaron Harang, who was attempting to win his fifth straight decision, gave up seven hits, two runs and two walks and struck out five in seven innings. Marlins manager Mike Redmond successfully challenged that Justin Upton was out to end the sixth. Upton, diving back to first base after Heyward lined out to shortstop, was originally called safe by first base umpire Rob Drake, but the call was overturned. Redmond has successfully challenged 15 of 19 calls this year. NOTES: Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez gave SS Andrelton Simmons the night off and started Ramiro Pena, who went 1 for 3, in his place. ... With a throwing miscue in Miamis 6-1 loss Wednesday to Atlanta, Saltalamacchia has 12 errors and is tied for most by a Marlins catcher in a season (Miguel Olivo 2007). ... When Freeman homered Wednesday, he snapped a stretch of 83 straight at-bats without a homer, the longest stint of his three-year career. .... Ozuna struck out eight times in the series.
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