Match Preview: Wednesday Vs Brighton & Hove Albion
By Nicholas Rigg
October 23 2005
Wednesday face another potential relegation six pointer in front of the Sky TV cameras on Monday night. Brighton & Hove Albion are the team making the long journey north to Hillsborough hoping to carry on from their 1-0 victory against rivals Crystal Palace last week.
Wednesday V Brighton 
Date: Monday 24th October
Venue: Hillsborough, Sheffield
Another week, and another 'relegation six-pointer' is one the cards for Paul Sturrock's Wednesday team as they face Brighton and Hove Albion in front of the Sky TV cameras on Monday night.
Wednesday still remain in the bottom three with 12 points, despite a run of three games unbeaten, whilst Brighton sit in 20th position with 13 points.
Mark McGhee's side were always going to be one of the favourites for the drop and were living up to their tag until their impressive victory against rivals Crystal Palace on Tuesday night. Paul McShane hit the winner that saw Brighton lift off the foot of the table and out of the relegation zone, but there is still much work to be done to keep the seagulls from the drop this season.
Brighton have won just two games this season - one coming against Plymouth with the other coming against Palace. But despite their poor run of form they have lost just one away game this season away at Hull City. They remain unbeaten away from home in the past five games and will hope to continue that trend at Hillsborough next week.
The tie will of course bring ex-Wednesday loanee Leon Knight back to Hillsborough, who is sure to get a hot reception. Knight was on-loan from Chelsea when he made 14 appearences in a Wednesday shirt, scoring 3 goals before Chris Turner sent Knight back to Stamford Bridge.
The seagulls are one of the few teams never to have won at Hillsborough, and Wednesday generally have a good record against the South-coast side, despite being relegated from the Championship in 2003 following a 1-1 draw at the Withdean Stadium.
Wednesday's David Graham will face a late fitness test going in to the game following the injury which forced the ex-Wigan man off at half time in the game against Watford. Graham Coughlan was also forced off towards the end off that game with concussion, but is also hoping to be fit for the match.
Paul Sturrock said: ''We don't know how bad they are. The bonus is we don't have a game until next Monday.
Midfielder Craig Rocastle also suffered head injuries after a collision with Marlon King and recieved stitches, but is hoped to be available for the match. Steve Maclean, JP McGovern, Drew Talbot, and Drissa Diallo are still out withg long term injuries.
Brighton don't have any new injury worries following the game at Selhurst Park on Tuesday night and are likely to bring to same squad up to Hillsborough.
Previous Line-Ups:
Wednesday: Lucas, Hills, Coughlan (Wood 80), Lee, Simek, Brunt, Whelan, Eagles, Rocastle (Partridge 89), Peacock, Graham (O'Brien 45).
Subs Not Used: Bullen, Corr.
Brighton: Henderson, Carole, McShane, Butters, Reid, Carpenter (Frutos 25), Hammond, Oatway, Hart, Robinson (Kazim-Richards 71), Knight (El-Abd 90).
Subs Not Used: Mayo, Blayney.
Last Time Out:
27th March 2003
Wednesday 2-1 Brighton
Wednesday: Pressman, Geary, Barry-Murphy, Smith, Bromby, Cooke, Mustoe, Brunt, McMahon, Proudlock, Ndumbu-Nsungu. Subs: Poulter, Olsen, Wood, Chambers, Shaw.
Goals: Brunt 8', Mustoe 90'
Brighton: Roberts, Cullip, Butters, Harding, Virgo, Lee, Jones, Outway, Carpenter, Knight, Iwelumo. Subs: El-Abd, Kuipers, Piercy, McPhee, Reid.
Goals: Carpenter 14'
Head-To-Head:
Wednesday Wins: 8
Draws: 8
Brighton Wins: 3
Current Form (last 5):
Draw (Luton A 2-2), Lost (Crystal Palace A 2-0), Won (Coventry H 3-2), Draw (Plymouth A 1-1), Draw (Watford H 1-1)
Draw (Burnley A 1-1), Draw (Leicester A 0-0), Lost (Norwich H 1-3), Lost (Cardiff H 1-2), Won (Crystal Palace A 1-0)
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