The final game of the League One season is set to take place this weekend, with Sunderland and Charlton set to go head to head for a place in the Championship.
The two last met at Wembley in 1998 when Charlton won a place in the Premier League, but this weekend sees them both bidding to get out of the third tier.
It promises to be a huge clash at a packed Wembley Stadium and in our latest 6-pointer, Gary Hutchinson looks at the different elements going into the huge clash.
1) How have the two teams ended up here?
“It’s been an interesting season for both. Sunderland looked likely to be in the top two, but never actually led the table.
“They stumbled, struggling to turn draws into wins and ultimately that saw them finish fifth. They’re not in form and only just edged past a below-par Portsmouth in the semi-finals.
“Charlton have been a slow burner all season, simmering away just above the chasing pack but adrift of the top four. From nowhere they exploded and another couple of matches would have seen them finish in the top two.”
“They did lose their last match, 3-2 to Doncaster, but ended up progressing to the final on penalties.”
2) Who are the key men for Sunderland?
“It depends who is fit. Aiden McGeady has been a key player all season, but risking him in the final few matches might have cost Sunderland dearly. He had a broken foot for a handful of games, but played on.
“You’d like to think Will Grigg is an important figure, but he’s struggled for fitness and goals since his big-money move from Wigan in January.
“Lewis Morgan could be a key player. He’s the loan signing from Celtic who, on his day, could turn a game in an instant.”
3) Who are the key men for Charlton?
“It’s hard to see beyond Lyle Taylor and Joe Aribo.
“Taylor has brought goals, even when his strike partner Karlan Grant left the club. Aribo is out of contract this summer, but he’s been incredible when he’s been fit. He can create as well as score.
“At the back, Patrick Bauer is another big player. Will Grigg might be out of form, but he’ll still need marshalling and the big German is just the man to do it.”
4) Where is the game likely to be won and lost?
“It sounds obvious, but the strikers really are key. Both teams are good at the back, Sunderland have a settled pairing in Tom Flanagan and Jack Baldwin, whilst Patrick Bauer and Naby Sarr are both really tough customers.
“It’s Lyle Taylor who could be the key. If Sunderland let him have an inch, he’ll put the ball in the net. They missed out on his signature in the summer and could pay the ultimate price.
“For Sunderland, the experience of Lee Cattermole and Grant Leadbitter might give them an advantage in the middle of the park, but Arsenal loanee Krystian Bielik has proven to be a strong capture for the Addicks.
“It’ll be a great encounter, I can’t wait!”
5) Is this the biggest League One play-off final ever?
“Possibly. It’s rare both teams are former Premier League sides, certainly at this level.
“The 1999 play-off between Gillingham and Manchester City was the best attended, but in 2008 Doncaster and Leeds contested the game in a huge clash. Maybe Huddersfield and Sheffield United in 2012 was a big one too, but in terms of the former stature of both clubs, I’d wager this is going to be the biggest.
“Let’s face it; it could easily be a Championship play-off, given where both sides have been in the past.
"There's so much at stake for both clubs, not just league position. Lee Bowyer doesn't have a deal next season, his key players are the same and they're on the cusp of something remarkable. Sunderland need to bounce back or, financially, they could be in trouble once more”
6) Who will win?
“It’s going to be close, but I’m going for Charlton.
“Sunderland might have the big game experience, but there’s a resilience about the Addicks.
“They’ve been in the better form, they’ve been scoring goals and they have a certain mentality, ‘us against the world’ which makes them such a strong unit.
“It’ll be an engrossing game but I can see Lee Bowyer’s men making it a day to remember."