Preview: Brentford v Owls

It's top against bottom in League One on Sunday when the on-song Owls travel to Griffin Park to face early basement side Brentford.

But Owls boss Alan Irvine will know all-too-well that Sunday's televised Sky clash will be no walk in the park, and will pay little attention to the league table so early in the season.

The Bees could provide a string in Wednesday's table-topping aspirations, with a poor league start in urgent need of improvement, but some positive results in cup competitions - including a win over Hull City in the Carling Cup - ready to provide inspiration.

Another 5-0 to Wednesday? Unlikely, but we can all hope - three points whatever way they come, will be most welcome as the Owls aim to continue their unbeaten start to the league campaign.

Owls boss Alan Irvine told the Sheffield Star:

'People will say it's bottom against top but we've all only played four games. I don't think it's time to say which teams are really bang in form and are which are struggling for form. It will take a while before the league sorts itself out.'

'It's a false situation. It does take probably 10 games before things to start to work themselves out.'

The Bees are still looking for a first league win of the season after slumping to the bottom of the division.

But what better time to do it in front of the Sky TV cameras, and against top-of-the-league Wednesday?

It won't be hard for the hosts to get up for the clash, and they could be boosted with the return of striker Gary Alexander, who has been recovering from a hand injury.

But fellow hitman Kirk Hudson is expected to miss the clash with a back injury.

The Bees will need something special to break down a so-far superb Wednesday defence, and will be desperate for striker Gary Alexander to recover from a hand injury to start Sunday's game. His experience will provide the Owls back four with problems.

Wednesday are expected to revert back to the same eleven that started in the 5-0 thumping of Hartlepool United last weekend.

Chris Sedgwick suffered a slight groin injury in the midweek JPT success against Notts County but is expected to be fit and available for the trip to London.

Jermaine Johnson is the only certainty to be missing for the Owls through injury.

Midfielder James O'Connor will also be putting his hand up for a start after netting two goals in the County success, though Darren Potter and Giles Coke are expected to continue in the heart of midfield.

Now that the Owls striker will almost certainly remain at S6, until the next transfer window at least, you'd expect nothing less than 100 per cent - something which he's given in his last two games. A goal from open play, on Sky, would be nice for Tudders too.

Head-to-Head:

Brentford wins: 7

Wednesday wins: 8

Draws: 11

Last Time Out:

Brentford 1-2 Wednesday

Griffin Park, 16-05-05

Wednesday booked their place in the League One play-off final last time they visited Brentford, with goals from Lee Peacock and Chris Brunt seeing them through to Cardiff.

Form:

Brentford: W-L-W-D-L

Wednesday: W-W-L-W-D

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