Cardiff City are facing a major test of their ability to stay the Championship promotion course.
Neil Warnock’s Bluebirds are keen to bounce back from their three-goal defeat at Preston North End and have three of their next four fixtures at Cardiff City Stadium.
Bur Warnock warns: “We are playing probably the best three teams in the division.”
Sheffield Wednesday come to South Wales in Saturday (3pm), while home clashes against Leeds United and Derby County are coming up fast.
“I’m pleased they are these kind of games really,” says Warnock, whose City team are second. “We know they are going to be good games and if we are not on our game we will get beaten.
“They are all good sides. But they are games I’m really looking forward to.
“Sheffield Wednesday, from a personal point of view, is very special to me. It always has been.
“Our next three home matches are probably against the three best teams in the division.”
Cardiff follow Saturday’s match against Sheffield Wednesday by travelling to Sunderland a week later. They then entertain Leeds (Tuesday, September 26) and Derby (Saturday, September 30).
Warnock is not looking beyond City’s big test against Wednesday, who are big rivals of his boyhood idols Sheffield United.
The Yorkshireman still has a great affection for the Owls and is a former United manager.
Warnock talked of his delight playing Wednesday, saying: “It’s my favourite game of the season – probably.
“I always enjoy going up to Hillsborough and the welcome that I receive up there.
“It will be a good atmosphere at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday because our fans are vocal and when the stadium starts buzzing it’s unbelievable.
“It does lift you and that’s what we want.”
Portuguese manager Carlos Carvalhal is in charge of Wednesday, who are four points behind Cardiff in sixth place.
“I like Carlos. He’s a smashing man,” says Warnock.
“They play good football so it’s the type of game you look forward to really.
“The Championship is always up-and-down, but I can’t see it being a poor game.
“I think there will be excitement, because that’s how both teams are really.”
Cardiff City’s away Sky Bet Championship fixture at Bristol City has been moved back to its original date of Saturday November 4 and will kick-off at noon.
The fixture had originally been selected for live TV coverage by Sky Sports on the Saturday November (5.30pm), but was then moved to Friday November 3 (7.45pm) after police indicated Friday was preferable to Saturday. Both clubs supported the decision.
Measures proposed by the clubs included a reduction in the number of tickets being made available for away supporters, Cardiff City assisting with aspects of the stewarding operation and a review of how visiting fans would be transported to and from Ashton Gate to reduce the potential for disorder.
EFL Chief Executive, Shaun Harvey, said: “Despite achieving an agreement in principle, Avon and Somerset Police subsequently made a number of representations to the Safety Advisory Group and it became clear that they were not prepared to provide the police resources they felt were necessary away from Ashton Gate itself to prevent any possible disorder.”
The outcome is that the fixture will be played on Saturday, starting at noon.
Cardiff City, probable: (4-4-2) Etheridge, Peltier, Morrison (capt), Bamba, Bennett, Mendez-Laing, Gunnarsson, Bryson, Feeney, Tomlin, Zohore or Ward.
Subs, from: Murphy (gk), Manga, Richards, Connolly, Halford, Ralls, Damour, Hoilett, Zohore or D Ward.