Image source, Getty Images

Shrewsbury's fans will hope this is not the season they look back on and say "if only".

From September to the start of April, barring the odd blip, Town had been in the top two.

But just two wins in their last nine - including a Checkatrade Trophy final loss to League Two Lincoln City - saw Wigan and Blackburn claim the top two places with two games to spare.

Paul Hurst's side have the best defence out of the four sides in the play-offs - they conceded just 39 goals in 46 regular-season games - while their seasonal tally of 60 goals is two better than tonight's opponents Charlton managed.

Shrewsbury fans will hope the 16-point advantage they had on Charlton at the end of the campaign will count for something come the conclusion of their semi-final tie.

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The Addicks have spent much of the season around the final two or three play-off places.

Five wins from their opening six games under Karl Robinson saw them as high as second at the start of September, and another good run saw them climb up to third in mid-November.

But they struggled with consistency through December, January and February, and when Robinson left the club in mid-March they were five points off sixth place.

But under caretaker boss Lee Bowyer results improved - they won six of their last 10 games - and even defeat at relegation-dodging Rochdale on the final day of the regular season on Saturday could not stop them claiming the final play-off spot.

Image source, Rex Features

Lee Bowyer has made four changes to his Charlton Athletic side from the one that lost at Rochdale on Saturday.

Nicky Ajose, Josh Magennis, Ben Reeves and Stephy Mavididi come in while Mark Marshall, Sullay Kaikai, Joe Aribo and Michal Zyro are dropped.

Shrewsbury drop defender Joe Riley and forward Abo Eisa, with Bryn Morris and Alex Rodman coming in as they hope to improve from their 1-0 loss at home to relegated MK Dons on Saturday.

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Goal-line technology will be available at all 12 of this season's English Football League play-off semi-final fixtures for the first time ever.

The Hawkeye technology was introduced to the regular Championship campaign from the start of the 2017-18, but not in the third and fourth tiers.

It has previously been in place for the Championship, League One and League Two finals but not the semi-finals.

Tonight's play-off semi-final first leg is the first ever League One game to have the technology.

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Seventy-two teams have each played 46 games this season. Twelve of those clubs still have work to do.

Strap yourselves in - it's the start of the EFL play-offs.

Tonight's League One semi-final first leg at The Valley between Charlton Athletic and Shrewsbury Town kicks off nine successive days of make-or-break games as clubs aim for Wembley and then the final promotion spot in each of their respective leagues.

Stay logged in to us here at BBC Sport for all the build-up and action as it happens.