Paul Ogden
Huddersfield Town commentator, BBC Radio Leeds

Image source, PA

By recruitment, coaching and a new physical durability, Huddersfield have morphed this season from routine Championship "survivors" into genuine promotion candidates, earning their top five finish without question.

But behind all the superlatives of head coach David Wagner's 18-month reign, a constant irritation has persisted; Sheffield Wednesday.

Since and including Wagner's actual debut match in November 2015 at Hillsborough, Town have always competed, even threatened, in every single derby against the Owls. But each time, gallantly, sometimes unluckily, they have lost four out of four.

Rob Staton
Sport reporter, BBC Radio Sheffield

Image source, Empics

Wednesday will fancy their chances of going one better this season and winning promotion. They finished the season strongly and they can use the experience of last year to their advantage.

The big concern is the health of Gary Hooper who misses out today. Arguably Wednesday’s best player during a recent six-game winning streak, he’s a major doubt for both semi-final legs.

On the plus side Steven Fletcher is on form, Fernando Forestieri is fit again, Sam Winnall is good for a goal and Jordan Rhodes was signed for these big games.

The first leg is crucial. Hillsborough is an incredible stadium when it’s full. It’ll be tough for Huddersfield to win through if they lose at home.

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal on Sky Sports:

"Our team have quality and our team fights and battles a lot. Steven Fletcher and Fernando Forestieri start the defending from the front and every player is connected from front to back.

"We have more options, but in our understanding those two up front are the best two to help us win the game."

Huddersfield Town head coach David Wagner believes Sheffield Wednesday are the "big, big favourites" to progress.

Town lost home and away to the Owls but only finished above Town on goal difference.

"It is clear we are the underdogs," he told BBC Radio Leeds.

"Everyone knows how much money they have spent and what they have done at a very high level for the last two years.

"On the other hand we have been underdogs all season and we are used to this role. It doesn't change our ambition, we want to reach the final."

Back to the game this lunchtime with just a short while until kick-off.

Let's hear what the managers and the pundits have to say...

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Have your say on this meeting of two Yorkshire heavyweights by using #bbcefl on Twitter.

Who do you think has the firepower to reach Wembley and possibly beyond to the top flight?

Also, what have you made of the play-off action so far after yesterday's physical encounter between Fulham and Reading?

Image source, Rex Features

The Championship play-off semi-finals kicked off on Saturday evening with a feisty affair at Craven Cottage.

Fulham and Reading could not be separated in a 1-1 draw despite Reading playing the last 10 minutes with 10 men.

Captain Paul McShane saw red for a dangerous tackle on Kevin McDonald.

After a goalles first half, Jordan Obita's low drive put Reading ahead but Fulham responded as Tom Cairney nodded in the rebound from Scott Malone's parried shot.

They go again in the return leg at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday night.

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex Features

Hillsborough in January was the scene for the season's second meeting of these two.

Ross Wallace's superb strike helped Wednesday beat 10-man Huddersfield after the Terriers had had the better of the first-half chances.

But the Owls took the lead shortly after the break when Wallace smashed into the top corner from 30 yards out.

Town's Jack Payne was shown a straight red card, before Fernando Forestieri tapped in for Wednesday late on.

Image source, Rex Features

Ian mentioned that Wednesday have proved somewhat of a bogey side for Huddersfield this season and here's how....

The teams first met this campaign back in October at the John Smith's Stadium when the Terriers missed the chance to go back to the top.

Fernando Forestieri scored the only goal from the spot for Wednesday after Rajiv van La Parra handled Tom Lees' shot.

Elias Kachunga's effort was cleared off the line by Daniel Pudil for the hosts while Forestieri and David Jones both hit the woodwork for the Owls.

Ian Woodcock
BBC Sport at John Smith's Stadium

Huddersfield boss David Wagner has been keen to play down his side's chances in the play-offs, but that belies their incredible consistency this season.

The Terriers, totally unfancied in pre-season, spent just eight days outside the top six and were the first of the four teams to confirm their play-off spot.

However, they have not beaten Wednesday in their past seven matches and lost both home and away to Carlos Carvalhal's men this season.

The Owls know what it takes to get through this stage, they beat Brighton over two legs last year before losing 1-0 to Hull City in the final. 

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David Wagner makes three changes from the final day defeat by Cardiff City last Sunday.

One of those is enforced through suspension in goal after Danny Ward was sent off against the Bluebirds. Joel Coleman starts between the sticks while Elias Kachunga and Nahki Wells return in attack for Sean Scannell and Collin Quaner.

Huddersfield: Coleman; Smith, Lowe, Hefele, Schindler; Mooy, Hogg; van La Parra, Brown, Kachunga; Wells.

Subs: Coddington, Whitehead, Hudson, Holmes-Dennis, Cranie, Payne, Quaner.

Image source, PA

Carlos Carvalhal reshuffles his pack for this first leg after making 10 changes for the final regular season game against Fulham last Sunday.

Only Kieran Lee remains in the starting line-up this lunchtime.

Steven Fletcher and Fernando Forestieri are paired upfront with Jordan Rhodes on the bench with Sam Winnall.

Sheffield Wednesday: Westwood; Hunt, Loovens, Lees, Pudil; Wallace, Lee, Bannan, Reach; Fletcher, Forestieri.

Subs: Wildsmith, Jones, Winnall, Palmer, Rhodes, Sasso, Nuhui.

Right, let's not waste any time.

The all important team news on the way shortly....

Image source, PA

Image source, PA

Spring is well and truly in the air with a nice bit of Sunday lunchtime sunshine around as well.

Deep in the heart of West Yorkshire, two titans of the Championship are ready and waiting to lay it on the line in the play-offs.

After 46 games of hard graft since early August, it's now down to 180 minutes (and potentially a few more) for a place at Wembley and a shot at the Premier League.

Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday meet in their Championship play-off semi-final first leg from midday and we've got it all right here.....