Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff come so close to taking the lead as Leandro Bacuna takes aim from 20 yards and Marek Rodak makes an unorthodox save.

The ball squirts across the face of goal towards Robert Glatzel, but Michael Hector's fine challenge saves Fulham.

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

Things could get spicy tonight because Cardiff and Fulham have had their fair share of running battles over the past few years.

Rivals when they were promoted to the Premier League together two seasons ago and adversaries again when they came back down to the Championship in the last campaign, there’s not much love lost between the two clubs.

That much was clear earlier this season when Cardiff and Fulham fought out a 1-1 draw at Cardiff City Stadium.

Cottagers midfielder Harry Arter, who spent last season on loan at Cardiff, was sent off after he was booked twice within two minutes in the second half.

Having seen Brentford’s Rico Henry dismissed at Swansea City in the other Championship play-off semi-final last night, what price another red card this evening?

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

It is Neil Harris' turn to rant at the referee as Robert Glatzel tumbles under a Michael Hector challenge and no free-kick is given.

The Bluebirds then have to defend for the first time, with Leandro Bacuna slicing clear with Bobby Decordova-Reid lurking.

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

There's an air of an angry school teacher about Scott Parker as the Fulham manager, smartly turned out in a navy blazer and grey trousers, screams at the match officials.

Parker seemed to be angry that his side were not given a throw-in and absolutely roars at the assistant referee: "Are you sure?! Are you sure?!"

It was deafeningly loud but polite-ish, I suppose.

Danny Gabbidon
Former Wales defender on BBC Radio Wales

Harrison Reed doesn't look happy, clutching the back of his right leg.

He looks in a lot of pain, that would be another big blow to Scott Parker and Fulham.

A worry for Fulham early on as Harrison Reed gets treatment on an injury.

The on-loan Southampton man has been important for Scott Parker's team and the good news for them is that he looks set to continue.

Neil Harris is clapping his hands on the touchline early on here - he likes what he has seen so far.

Scott Parker, meantime, has already expressed frustration at the officials.

A positive start from Cardiff, who apply early pressure to Fulham as Michael Hector is dispossessed deep in his own half.

Fulham eventually clear, but Neil Harris will be pleased with that.

Referee Geoff Eltringham blows his whistle and we are off and running.

It is almost time.

Image source, Getty Images

Swansea may have a 1-0 lead going into the second leg of the first play-off semi-final, but they still have plenty of work to do if they are to overcome Thomas Frank's freescoring Brentford side.

As for the second semi-final, Fulham may start as favourites given that they finished eight points above Cardiff in the regular season, but this looks a tough tie to call.

So could there be a Welsh derby in the final at Wembley next week?

Or might football's so-called richest game be an all-west London affair?

It is going to be fun finding out - and it is not long now until part two of this play-off campaign gets under way.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Tonight brings a return to familiar territory for Fulham forward Bobby Decordova-Reid.

Decordova-Reid makes a first return to Cardiff having left the club for Fulham in August 2019 - and he leads the line in Mitrovic's absence.

Ex-Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock spent big on Decordova-Reid after Cardiff were promoted to the top flight in 2018, but he left having scored only five goals in 30 appearances.

He has netted six times in 2019-20 for Fulham. Midfielder Harry Arter is another Cardiff old boy in Scott Parker's squad, but he misses out on a return with injury.

Neil Harris has made a career of proving people wrong.

So when the Cardiff manager says the pressure will be on Fulham tonight, you get the impression he rather enjoys the underdog tag.

It's one Harris has relished for much of his life, as you can read more about in this profile piece about the Bluebirds boss.

Image source, Rex Features

Cardiff forward Lee Tomlin is ready.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Aleksandar Mitrovic finished the regular season with 26 goals in 40 Championship appearances, making him the division's top scorer, so his absence tonight looks like a significant blow for Fulham.

The Serbian scored in both league meetings with Cardiff - a 1-1 draw in Wales in August and Fulham's recent 2-0 home win - but misses out tonight with what the Cottagers are calling a "slight problem".

Parker has indicated Mitrovic, who cost a reported £22m when he joined in 2018, has been omitted tonight to ensure he will be fit to feature in Thursday's return leg.

The big team news tonight is that the Championship’s top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic is OUT of the Fulham squad.

Fulham boss Scott Parker says the Serbian striker has a “slight problem” and that he has had to make a “calculated decision to keep him in contention for the next games”.

Mitrovic is replaced by former Cardiff forward Bobby Decordova-Reid as one of three changes from Fulham’s 1-1 draw at Wigan.

Former Cardiff midfielder Harry Arter is also ruled out and is replaced by Harrison Reed, while Cyrus Christie comes in for Denis Odoi at right-back.

Fulham XI: Rodak; Christie, Hector, Ream, Bryan; Reed, Cairney; Knockaert, Onomah, Kebano; Decordova-Reid.

Image source, BBC Sport

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

Cardiff City manager Neil Harris sticks with the team which eased past Hull City 3-0 on the final day of the regular Championship season.

That means another start for key forward Lee Tomlin, who has featured regularly from the bench this season because of injury.

Cardiff XI: Smithies; Bacuna, Morrison, Nelson, Bennett; Pack, Ralls; Mendez-Laing, Tomlin, Hoilett; Glatzel.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff are not the only team who come into the play-offs in good shape.

Fulham kicked off with two defeats - albeit against Brentford and Leeds - when football returned after lockdown in June, but since then their form has been excellent.

They won five and drew two of their last seven games, and were still in with a chance of automatic promotion on the final day of the season.

Their draw with Wigan last Wednesday meant they ended the campaign two points short of West Bromwich Albion in second place.

Now comes the chance to win promotion the long way round, with boss Scott Parker suggesting ahead of this game that it is his team who have the momentum.

The challenge for Fulham is to ensure that is still the case come full time tonight.