It’s all gearing up for the most important game of the Championship season. Wembley is set for the scenes and Aston Villa and Fulham are set to take each other on in the EFL Championship playoff final.
Fulham come into this game on the back of a very comprehensive victory over Derby, with the Midlands side crumbling under the power of their attack. They have been truly excellent all the way through the season and more than deserve to be in this final but Aston Villa will prove a stern test for them. It will be a fascinating game.
Probable Fulham XI
Manager: Slavisa Jokanovic
Formation: 4-3-3
Marcus Bettinelli (GK)
The 25-year-old had a much-improved performance against Derby in the second leg of the playoff semi-final and will be hoping to help his boyhood club get back into the Premier League with another strong clean sheet.
Ryan Fredericks (RB)
Fredericks has been excellent on the right-hand side of the Fulham defence this season. He is solid defensively but is also an absolute menace going forward. He stretches the opposition defence and is a good crosser of the ball.
Denis Odoi (CB)
Odoi was excellent in both legs of the semi-final and has really come into his best form in the Championship this season for Fulham. He is not the tallest of centre-backs, but makes up for it with excellent pace and positioning.
Tim Ream (CB)
The experienced centre-back has been very good for Fulham this season and has formed an excellent partnership with Odoi. Together, they have 15 clean sheets in the Championship – an excellent record.
Matt Targett (LB)
Targett has been an excellent signing for Fulham on-loan and it will be interesting to see where his future lies if Fulham do make it to the Premier League. He gives Sessegnon that freedom to get forward down the left.
Stefan Johansen (CM)
Johansen will be looking to have a good game in the final, after disappointing a little in the two legs of the semis. There is always one of the midfield trio that has a stand-out game and he will be hoping it’s him this time around.
Kevin McDonald (CM)
McDonald had a good impact in the two semi-final legs and Jokanovic will be hoping he takes this form into the final. He gives that Fulham midfield an extra bite and allows Johansen and Cairney to get forward.
Tom Cairney (CM)
Cairney is a class above the other midfielders in the Championship and his future definitely lies in the Premier League. He will be hoping to make it there with Fulham.
Ryan Sessegnon (LW)
Sessegnon was back to his best against Derby in the second leg of the semi-final and Jokanovic will be very pleased to see this after he did not impact the two games before that. He will be looking to fire on all cylinders and take Fulham all the way to the Premier League.
Floyd Ayite (RW)
Jokanovic has a problem in this right-wing position and none of Kamara, Ayite or Piazon is in good form. Kamara was ineffective against Derby and therefore it is looking more likely that Ayite will get the nod.
Aleksandar Mitrovic (ST)
Was absolutely fantastic in the second leg against Derby. He held up the ball well, using his strength and power to rattle the Derby defence. He has been a revelation for Fulham and will be hoping to score the goal to take them to the top-flight.