Ello ello! After 46 long games, the Championship's regular season is done and dusted and now it's time for the playoffs, where four teams are all in with a shout of gaining promotion to the Premier League.

Tomorrow's semi-final first leg is between fourth and fifth – Hull and Derby – but tonight it's all about Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton. There was a big gap between the two in the table, but none of that matters now. Who has got the bottle?!

Plenty to get through between now and kickoff at 7.45, but first we must start with the team news, which has just been announced by both clubs at Hillsborough...

WEDNESDAY XI: Westwood; Hunt, Lees, Loovens, Pudil; Wallace, Lee, Bannan, Lopez; Forestieri; Hooper

WEDNESDAY SUBS: Wildsmith, Hutchinson, Matias, Nuhiu, Helan, Joao, Sasso

BRIGHTON XI: Stockdale; Bruno, Goldson, Greer, Bong; Knockaert, Sidwell, Kayal, Skalak; Baldock, Hemed

BRIGHTON SUBS: Maenpaa, Calderon, Rosenior, Towell, LuaLua, Murphy, Wilson

Okey doke, starting with Sheffield Wednesday and it's no surprise that Carlos Carvalhal has completely changed his starting XI. The Owls were assured of a playoff place on the final day of the season, so put out a second-string side and lost 2-1 at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The likes of Keiren Westwood, Barry Bannan, Fernando Forestieri and Gary Hooper all return and they will be well-rested having not played since April 30. Ross Wallace is back after suspension to make his first appearance in almost a month! Could be a big advantage tonight.

That's because Brighton did have everything to play for on the last day of the season in their promotion decider against Middlesbrough. Chris Hughton has made two changes to his starting XI from the 1-1 draw at the Riverside. Dale Stephens, arguably Brighton's best player this season, was sent off in that match and is suspended for the playoffs, so Jiri Skalek comes into the midfield. The other change sees Gaetan Bong preferred to Liam Rosenior at left-back.

Sorry, it's actualy three changes for Brighton. Steve Sidwell is the man who takes Stephens's place, while Skalek is preferred to Jamie Murphy down the left wing. One other note for the visitors – Lewis Dunk is also suspended. He and Stephens both being out is such a blow.

Right then, that's the team news, time to look at the final Championship table. A superb run of seven wins in eight matches had Brighton on course for automatic promotion with two games of the season remaining, but they finished with a pair of 1-1 draws against rivals Boro and Derby to finish third on 89 points. Because Boro had a better goal difference, Brighton knew that they had to win at the Riverside on the final day, but they could only draw as Boro secured their return to the big time. Such a crushing blow and you have to wonder how the Seagulls will be able to respond to that disappointment.

Brighton were last in the top division of English football in 1983 and they have come close to returning in recent years. They reached the playoffs in back-to-back seasons in 2013 and 2014, but lost in the semi-finals on both occasions. Can they put it right this year, or will it be more heartbreak?

One thing you have to say is that Chris Hughton has done a great job this year. Last season Brighton slumped to a 20th-placed finish after coming fourth and sixth the previous two campaigns, but they have surged right back into promotion contention this season and I even picked Hughton as my Manager of the Season given that Brighton were not expected to be challenging for a top-two place.

Brighton are on a 14-match unbeaten run and have lost just one of their last 20, but Wednesday will be a tough nut to crack tonight – the Owls have lost just one of their last 22 games at Hillsborough in all competitions (W14 D7).

Strong form at home for Wednesday then, so they will be confident of opening a first-leg lead tonight. If the Owls can go all the way in the playoffs, they will return to the top division for the first time since 2000.

H2H: As you can see there, the head-to-head stats do not make good reading for Brighton. Keith Andrews in 2013 was the last Seagulls player to score in this fixture, although goals have been so hard to come by with the last three meetings all ending goalless.

HOPEFULLY that will change tonight though! No Championship player has scored more league goals in 2016 than Wednesday's Gary Hooper (11) and Brighton's Tomer Hemed (11).

PREDICTION: I don't think it'll be 0-0, but I am going to back a draw in this one. Brighton have drawn their last two 1-1 and I'll go for that scoreline again.

KICKOFF! Brighton, in their hi-vis neon away kit, get us underway at Hillsborough.

It's absolutely bouncing at Hillsborough and the home side have started well. Hooper just got in down the right and cut the ball back for Forestieri. The Italian, scorer of 15 league goals this season, tried a clever turn in the box but overran the ball and Brighton were able to get it away.

"E I E I E I O, up the Football League we go" is the chant from the Wednesday supporters. Brighton have just settled down a little now.

First shot of the match is a wild one from Wednesday winger Wallace after Hunt's dangerous cross was just missed at the near post by Forestieri.

CLOSE! Oh my, Brighton almost score! Knockaert does fantastically to keep the ball in for the overlapping Bruno. The right-back's cross finds Baldock and his first-time shot takes a deflection before dipping just wide.

OFF THE POST! How?! Skalak delivers a fine cross and Hemed is up to meet it, but can only flick against the base of the post.

SAVE! Chance after chance after chance! Wednesday now go close as Wallace takes aim from distance, with Stockdale getting down low to his left to make the save.

Forestieri wants a penalty on a couple of occasions as he tussles with Bong, but he threw himself to the ground on both occasions and referee Andre Marriner made the right call to wave it away.

What a mad few minutes that was! Wednesday had started the better, but then Brighton were so close to taking the lead against the run of play twice. The only effort on target was Wallace's drilled low shot, which Stockdale did really well to claw away from the bottom corner.

Bruno with a great cross from the right and Baldock almost makes contact under pressure at the near post. The Bruno-Knockaert combo down the Brighton right is a dangerous one.

CHANCE! Knockaert's inswinger from the resulting corner is another good one and Hemed heads wide under little pressure. He wants a corner but Marriner says goal kick.

OK, if you look at those pics below it might help explain this. Westwood launched a long kick upfield and Forestieri was miles offside. However, he appeared to have got back onside and produced a fine finish from 18 yards. BUT, it doesn't actually look like there was any flick from Hooper to Forestieri, so the offside call is the right one. Wednesday are incensed, but it looks like a superb decision.

And now a bad call almost gifts Brighton a goal! Westwood appeared to have the ball in two hands, but it was poked away and lucky for Wednesday Loovens was there to mop up just as it looked like Hemed would go through and tap in.

Marriner has now not given Wednesday a couple of free kicks that they wanted and the supporters are right on his back. He is a Premier League regular though, so should be ready for the challenge.

BOOKING! Wallace, who was sent off on his last appearance remember, goes into the book for a rash challenge on Kayal.

Good position for the free kick, but Knockaert's floated delivery doesn't reach the unmarked Sidwell at the back post as Westwood punches clear.

Just seen a close-up replay of the ball passing Hooper and can confirm that it was the RIGHT DECISION to disallow Forestieri's goal. Fair play to the assistant Darren Cann.

Someone needs to tell the Wednesday coaches that it was the right decision. They are still going on about it to the fourth official.

Anyway, there's a break in play at the moment because Brighton striker Hemed is down injured. Would be a big blow if he had to go off.

Looks like he will be OK to carry on. Blimey, this first 35 minutes has had everything but a goal: woodwork hit, card shown, controversy!

And now Brighton defender Goldson slumps to the floor. I thought Hemed was going to continue, but Brighton have two subs stripped and ready.

BRIGHTON SUBS: Two changes then for the visitors as Hemed and Goldson are replaced by Wilson and Rosenior.

With Dunk and Stephens already suspended, it's such bad luck for Brighton to lose two players to injury. Looks like Bruno is going to centre-back, with Rosenior now down the right. Bruno had looked so good going forward!

What a crazy half this has been. I think we all need half time just to cool off! It's about two minutes away now, but there will be some added time.

No doubt about this one! Wallace has a pop from at least 25 yards and it flies into the bottom corner. Replays show that Stockdale could have saved it but his outstretched hand somehow went under the ball.

Five minutes have been added on at the end of the first half. That goal looked brilliant in real time, but the replays do not look good for Stockdale. Should have saved it.

Brighton ending the half well here as they look for an equaliser to silence Hillsborough.

Wow, what a half of football that was! It's Wednesday who lead at the interval after one of the most bonkers halves I can remember. Gotta love the playoffs! We'll be back soon for the second half.

KICKOFF! Aaand we're back underway at Hillsborough. No changes at half time, but remember Brighton were forced into TWO first-half changes.

SHOT! Bright start to the second period by Wednesday as a Lee cutback makes its way all the way across to Pudil, whose first-time shot is well hit but a yard or so wide.

Difficult chance for Baldock as he gets to the near post to meet Rosenior's cross but only heads over.

BRIGHTON SUB: Oh my word! Brighton suffer another injury blow as Sidwell trudges off. He's placed by Richie Towell, who MAKES HIS FOOTBALL LEAGUE DEBUT in a playoff semi-final!

Towell is a 24-year-old former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international who joined Brighton from Dundalk this season. What a moment for him and that's all three of Brighton's subs used.

BOOKING! First Brighton player booked is Bruno for a foul on Forestieri.

Pudil in a good crossing position for Brighton down the left but his centre is too close to Stockdale.

I think Brighton have to go on the defensive here. They cannot suffer another injury and might just want to hold Wednesday to 1-0 and hope to nick an equaliser. If they go for it and concede a second it will make it so much harder for the second leg back at The Amex.

Oh my word, Knockaert is down injured and hobbling! Surely not!

The winger appeared to turn his ankle when he chased down a long ball. Can he carry on?

This does not look good for Knockaert; the stretcher is out. How is your luck? Two key players suspended, three go off injured and now a fourth on a stretcher!

KNOCKAERT OFF: It's not a sub, but Brighton are now down to 10 again like they were against Boro at the weekend. By the way, Stephens's red card in that match was very harsh for me as well. Incredibly bad fortune!

Just seen a tweet: IT'S FRIDAY THE 13TH! That explains everything.

WEDNESDAY SUB: It's almost taunting Brighton as Carvalhal gets the luxky of a tactical change – big striker Nuhiu on, Lopez off. Wednesday going for the kill.

It looks like Wilson is up on his own now, with Baldock going left and Skalak switching to the right.

WEDNESDAY SUB: Owls goalscorer Wallace goes off, replaced by Marco Matias, who scored the Championship's goal of the season early on in the campaign against Leeds.

BOOKING! Pudil hacks down Skalak after the winger had intercepted and looked to be going through on goal. Good booking I think you can say.

The foul gives Brighton a free kick about 20 yards out, but Skalak is a little off-balance as he strikes the ball and it drifts over the bar.

You have to feel sorry for Brighton, but it's a fine goal from Lee. He turned smartly on the edge of the box to get through on goal and then finished with real aplomb past Stockdale right into the far side-netting. Brighton were doing OK at 1-0 but now they have a mountain to climb.

Brighton are going to have to hang on here you think. Wednesday want a penalty as Matias goes to ground, but he initiated the contact and it's a great call from the officials.

SHOT! Almost a wonder-goal from Skalak as he takes on a first-time volley and actually hits it too well into the stand.

WEDNESDAY SUB: Third and final change for the home side as Lucas Joao takes Hooper's place in attack.

Baldock is up at the back post for Brighton, but his header has the pace taken off it and it's an easy save for Westwood.

Wednesday take a free kick short and it opens up for Bannan to shoot, but he gets under the ball too much and it flies over the bar.

It's FIVE minutes of added time. Wednesday on the hunt for a third goal.

BOOKINGS! Couple of yellow cards as Wednesday's Matias and Brighton's Kayal make a pair of cynical tackles.

Late corner for Wednesday as Rosenior heads away from Nuhiu.

A great night for Wednesday but, like I've already said, if you're a neutral you have to feel for Brighton. The Seagulls missed out on automatic promotion on goal difference and ended the season 15 points ahead of the Owls. Then, tonight, they lost FOUR players to injury and had to play the final half an hour with 10 men.

Still, Wednesday could have settled for a 1-0 lead but did do well to get a second and they are deserving winners on the night. The second leg takes place on Monday night and it's all to do for Brighton back at home.

Anyway, that's all we've got time for here. Thanks for joining SM and be sure to come back tomorrow for the first leg of the other semi between Derby and Hull, which kicks off at 12.30pm. We'll have coverage from half 11, catch ya then!