Aston Villa and Fulham play at Wembley in Saturday’s Championship play-off final, with a place in the Premier League the reward for the winners.
Here we look at some of the talking points ahead of the game.
Cash prize
The financial rewards on offer for victory in the play-off final are huge, dwarfing those in Saturday’s other big game, the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool.
The victorious team at Wembley stands to receive at least £160million in revenue, Deloitte estimates. Survival for more than one season in the top-flight would see that rise to £280m.
But let’s not forget this is also an occasion for the romantics, with two historic clubs battling for a top-flight return.
Brucie bonus
Steve Bruce knows what it takes to win at Wembley. The former Manchester United captain is set to manage in his third play-off final and he has won the previous two (with Birmingham in 2002 and Hull in 2016).
The third manager to take charge of teams in three play-off finals, Bruce has won four promotions to the top-flight, a joint-record with Cardiff boss Neil Warnock. Surely that experience will come in handy on the big day.
Cottagers Wembley wait over
Fulham have played at Wembley once before, losing the 1975 FA Cup final to West Ham. No wonder Shahid Khan, their owner, wants to buy the national stadium – although it will not become Fulham’s home.
The Cottagers have been unsuccessful in three previous play-off campaigns, but will hope to carry the momentum from their third-placed finish, above Villa, and the semi-final victory over Derby.
Feeling the Blues?
Chelsea supporters and officials may be among those keenly watching the action at Wembley, in particular two former Blues players.
Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic has been linked with Chelsea in the last week, but there is currently no vacancy at Stamford Bridge as Antonio Conte remains in charge.
If Villa are promoted, there is the prospect of John Terry facing Chelsea, the side with whom he is synonymous. The 37-year-old last summer left for Villa Park after 22 years at Stamford Bridge.
Young talents
One is portrayed as a hell-raising party animal, the other as a clean-cut professional who washes and irons his own kit. Villa’s Jack Grealish showed glimpses of his potential in the Premier League previously, but made more headlines for his off-field party lifestyle.
He is now maturing into a playmaker who can cut open defences.
On the other hand, Ryan Sessegnon is much admired and coveted, despite only just turning 18.
The left-sided player is renowned for his pace and power and surely will grace the Premier League next season. Whether it is with Fulham depends on Saturday.
