Sheffield Wednesday: All the pressure on Brighton says Daniel Pudil

Sheffield Wednesday defender Daniel Pudil says play-off opponents Brighton are the team who will be feeling the heat in the white-hot atmosphere of Hillsborough on Friday.
Daniel Pudil celebrates with Gary Hooper after the striker scored against CardiffDaniel Pudil celebrates with Gary Hooper after the striker scored against Cardiff
Daniel Pudil celebrates with Gary Hooper after the striker scored against Cardiff

The Seagulls fly north for the first leg of the Championship play-offs having had their wings clipped somewhat by Middlesbrough's promotion to the Premier League at Brighton's expense last weekend.

Chris Hughton's side needed to beat Boro at the Riverside to secure an automatic place in the top flight but could manage just a draw which placed them into the unpredictable territory of the play-offs.

Sheffield Wednesday defender Daniel PudilSheffield Wednesday defender Daniel Pudil
Sheffield Wednesday defender Daniel Pudil
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Wednesday have known their fate for a few weeks and the majority of the first team were given a week off on Saturday as the fringe players took on and lost to Wolves at Molineux.

According to Pudil, Brighton are favourites and he's hoping the home crowd can replicate the atmosphere that drove Wednesday to this position two weeks ago as they confirmed their place in the top six with victory over Cardiff City.

"We know they are dangerous and have good players. It's going to be a hard game," he said. "They are under more pressure than us because they were closer to getting into the Premier League. We can enjoy these two games."

Sheffield Wednesday defender Daniel PudilSheffield Wednesday defender Daniel Pudil
Sheffield Wednesday defender Daniel Pudil

The Czech international added: "We know we are not big favourites as Brighton were close to the Premier League and they just missed out in the last game. It's up to them how they are going to play but we are going to focus on our game. We will do everything we can to beat them and go to the final."

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Pudil feels the first goal could be key and that's where the blue and white masses come in.

"There will be a big crowd and they are always loud," he said. "Hopefully they will help us. They did in the last game against Cardiff even when we made a small mistake. The stadium will be full so we hope to make them happy. If we can score the first goal, we know Brighton may be a little down."