Brighton and Hove Albion vs Sheffield Wednesday. Sky Bet Championship.
Amex StadiumAttendance27,162.
Saturday 21 January 2017 07:38, UK
Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal believes his side will have to do it the hard way if they are to pull off another unexpected away win when they visit promotion-chasing Brighton on Friday night - live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm.
The Owls head to the Amex Stadium having already come back from early-season pacesetters Huddersfield with all three points and then secured a 1-0 victory at title-hopefuls Newcastle on Boxing Day.
Carvalhal, though, believes getting the better of Chris Hughton's side will prove the sternest test yet.
The Seagulls are aiming to bounce straight back from the loss at Preston, which was a first in the league since September 10, and saw them knocked off top spot.
"It will be a big challenge of course, but it was a big challenge to us when we went to Huddersfield and Newcastle, who were in the first positions in that moment," said the Portuguese coach, whose side are in sixth.
"I think this one will be the hardest because they have lost just one game since September, they lose their last game but at home they are strong.
"They are one of the strongest teams in the competition, playing at home gives them more percentage to be favourites."
Wednesday are unbeaten in their last six Championship outings, with just one defeat from the previous 10 games, and beat Brighton in the play-offs last season.
Carvalhal added at a press conference: "We are Sheffield Wednesday, we go there to fight and play our football and try to do our best to achieve the three points, (while) understanding it will be one of the toughest games."
Owls midfielder Barry Bannan believes the team's consistency has been built on a solid rearguard.
"Our clean sheets have been a big plus for the team, our defence will have a job on their hands Friday, but it is nothing they are incapable of," he said.
"They have been brilliant and if you can keep clean sheets, you will win games."
Brighton captain Bruno is, though, confident Hughton's side can produce the required response and secure a return to the top of the table, with Newcastle not in action until Saturday when they host bottom club Rotherham.
"We normally react really well after a defeat. I hope we are going to do it on Friday. It is a good game and comes at the right time," the Spaniard said in The Argus.
"We know it is going to be a really tough game, but I believe in the team and that we will have a really good performance."
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