Robbie Savage
BBC Radio 5 live

"You could argue that looking at some of the Derby players they have grown in confidence with Steve McClaren. Nigel Clough laid the foundations but maybe Steve has spent more time on the training pitch with them. The way they've performed since he went in there is unbelievable. If you'd asked the fans before the season they'd be in the play-off final then they'd have laughed at you."

Steve McClaren is adamant he is not giving that infamous England game against Croatia back in 2007 [see 13:35 BST] a second thought as he returns to Wembley for the first time since then as a manager.

He said: "If I am thinking about that I should not be there. This occasion is for the fans and my focus will be on what happens in the game. I have been back to Wembley many times and got over it. The main thing about that experience was the failure to qualify for Euro 2008, nothing else. It was a long time ago and a lot of water has run under the bridge since then."

In fairness, McClaren has worked hard to restore his reputation since then, and has arguably been the main catalyst in Derby's run to the play-off final. He might not be thinking about 2007 now but if Derby win, he will probably allow himself a little personal joy at going some way to exorcising that ghost.

Derby: Grant, Wisdom, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Hendrick, Thorne, Hughes, Russell, Martin, Ward. Subs: Bryson, Eustace, Sammon, Legzdins, Whitbread, Dawkins, Bamford.

QPR: Green, Simpson, Onuoha, Dunne, Hill, Doyle, Barton, O'Neil, Hoilett, Austin, Kranjcar. Subs: Traore, Morrison, Yun, Hughes, Henry, Zamora, Murphy.

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)

Paul Fletcher
BBC Sport at Wembley

"Both sides are unchanged from their semi-final second-leg victories, which means that Will Hughes starts in midfield for Derby despite the fact that player-of-the-year Craig Bryson is fit again after recovering from the back injury that forced him out of their last match. Bryson started 46 of Derby's 52 fixtures prior to the final.

"QPR midfielder Niko Kranjcar is able to play after recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up against Wigan but defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto, who missed both legs of the semi-final with a knee problem, is not in the squad."

Robbie Savage
BBC Radio 5 live at Wembley

"It's a big surprise Craig Bryson is on the bench if he is fit. I thought he would start because he has been exceptional and was the fans' player of the year. People may say he is not 100% but for me if you're on the bench you're fit to play."

Image source, BBC Sport

You need not miss a kick of football's most lucrative fixture with full build-up and commentary on BBC Radio 5 live having just got under way now, with former Derby boss Phil Brown and player Robbie Savage analysing the goings on at Wembley.

There will also be live text updates right here and extended highlights on The Football League Show at 23:30 BST on BBC One.

Derby manager Steve McClaren: "I'm looking forward to it - we all are. We're a bit like the swan on the river - cool and calm on the surface but underneath paddling like hell."

QPR manager Harry Redknapp: "I think Derby are the favourites. They have been on a great run and Steve has done a fantastic job with them.

"They are a young side, full of energy. It's got all the ingredients of being a good match-up."

Mind games from 'Arry?

QPR are unchanged from the side that edged Wigan 2-1 in their play-off semi-final second leg last time out. Charlie Austin and Kevin Doyle lead the line for Harry Redknapp's side.

Derby also name the same starting XI which beat Brighton 4-1 in the second leg of their play-off semi-final. Fit-again Craig Bryson on the bench.

Steve Roberts:, external Good luck to QPR from Brazil. Hopefully the game will be on over here. This game is far more important that the Champ Leg Final lol.

Rory:, external I've missed Harry on Match of the Day. Hopefully Tom Carroll will dictate the day!!

Mark Lynch:, external As a neutral I want to see Derby win. QPR have spent ridiculous amounts more than justifiable & I hope they don't get rewarded.

Wow where has the time gone? We are already just under one hour away from kick-off which means one thing - team news! Who is in and who is out?

As a player, this is not a game you want to be left out of and we will have the main team news from both sides as soon as it drops, which should be in the next couple of minutes.

Image source, Tony Fernandes

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes:, external "My view. I'm here. Whatever happens proud of this season. Amazing have met QPR fans from all over the world."

QPR, meanwhile, were not quite so convincing in their semi-final games against Wigan. They needed an extra-time goal by Charlie Austin in the second leg to seal a 2-1 aggregate win.

They also stuttered slightly towards the finish line in the regular season, with three wins in their final six league games.

But, as they say, form counts for nothing in these winner-takes-all fixtures.

QPR may have a squad brimming with Premier League talent but it is Derby who go into this game as slight favourites.

They are the form side, having won five of their final six league games of the season before sweeping aside Brighton in the two-legged semi-final.

They won the first leg 2-1 before easing to a 4-1 victory at home for a 6-2 aggregate win. Steve McClaren has truly worked some magic at Derby. They were 14th when he took over and they finished third.

Paul Fletcher
BBC Sport at Wembley

"Apparently QPR stayed at a hotel opposite Wembley Stadium last night - roughly about a 100-yard stroll door to door. No wonder, then, that boss Harry Redknapp was taking a relaxed walk around in the hours before kick-off."

We still have a while before kick off, so if you fancy some play-off related reading before then there is plenty on the BBC website for you to get your teeth into.

Curious as to how Steve McClaren and Harry Redknapp operate? Then have a read of Owen Phillips's comparison of the two managers, while there is also a cracking story about Derby defender Jake Buxton, who was given an ultimatum by his wife six years ago that almost forced him to walk away from football.

If facts, figures and finances are your thing then have a read about the several million reasons promotion could prove costly for QPR, a news piece on just how much promotion could be worth for the two sides, or have a look at some of the key numbers concerning the two. If you are not experts on Derby and QPR after reading all that, I'll be amazed.

Crystal Palace defender and former Queens Park Rangers player Peter Ramage nails his colours to the mast:, external "It's here, the day to be loud proud and make dreams come true! Leave nothing...gain everything."

Looking at the weather forecast, it looks as though there could well be a few spots of rain come kick off. A bad omen for Steve McClaren, or a chance for redemption maybe?

Image source, Getty Images

There will be no escaping comparisons to that day in 2007 for Steve McClaren.

The last time he stood in the dugout at Wembley was as England manager when he was infamously dubbed the 'wally with a brolly' after overseeing a 3-2 defeat by Croatia that cost the Three Lions a place at Euro 2008 and his job.

At the moment the rain appears to be holding off, but I suspect McClaren would rather get drenched that be snapped with a brolly again this time.

The QPR coach has made the relatively short trip from the team hotel to Wembley and the players have had their pre-match stroll on the pitch, suited and booted with oversized headphones out in force. A smattering of fans have also opted to shun soaking up the atmosphere outside the ground and make a beeline for their seats.

No sign, as yet, of the Derby players. Hope Steve McClaren has not got cold feet on his return to Wembley for the first time since he was England manager. Remember that ill-fated day back in 2007?