Image source, Rex Features

I don't think stats always tell the full story, but the numbers do stack up pretty nicely for Brentford this campaign.

For starters, 80 goals in the regular season was a divisional best. Their goal difference was joint-highest with Leeds, who were the only side to concede fewer than their tally of 38.

David Raya had the joint-highest number of clean sheets with Millwall's Bartosz Bialkowski, while Ollie Watkins has 26 goals for the season including play-offs. Sounds like a familiar tally...

Image source, Rex Features

There's no start for Aleksandar Mitrovic, but there is for Denis Odoi and Aboubakar Kamara, who take their place in the starting XI for Cyrus Christie and Anthony Knockaert respectively.

Fulham: Rodak, Odoi, Hector, Ream, Bryan, Reed, Cairney, Kamara, Decordova-Reid, Kebano, Onomah.

Subs: Bettinelli, Sessegnon, Christie, Le Marchand, McDonald, Johnasen, Knockaert, Cavaleiro, Mitrovic.

Image source, Rex Features

Josh Dasilva returns for Brentford in midfield with Emiliano Marcondes dropping to the bench.

Otherwise, it's the same XI that beat Swansea at Griffin Park in the second-leg of their semi-final.

Brentford: Raya, Dalsgaard, Pinnock, Jansson, Henry, Norgaard, Jensen, Dasilva, Benrahma, Watkins, Mbeumo.

Subs: Daniels, Canos, Valencia, Marcondes, Dervisoglu, Jeanvier, Fosu-Henry, Zamburek, Roerslev.

Image source, Getty Images

The big team news talking-point leading up to tonight's game was whether Fulham were able to call on top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic, and they will after he overcame a hamstring issue.

The Serb is named on the bench.

Full team news to follow.

Welcome then to the final BBC Sport EFL live text of the season, 368 days after the first.

Like the old gravy advert, we've saved the best 'til last.

I was on duty that night when a Luton side back in the Championship after 11 years away drew 3-3 with Middlesbrough in a corking opener.

It's been some journey since.

Image source, Rex Features

Fulham, having been in the top flight as recently as last season, would receive a slightly-lower figure of £135m. Still, not to be sniffed at.

In boss Scott Parker, they have a dapper gentleman. Cool, calm, collected. Never a hair out of place. Up front they have Aleksandar Mitrovic. All fire, temper, passion and energy. And goals - 26 to be precise. Somehow it works.

Their football is like death by a thousand cuts. Or in this case, passes. Pop, pop, pop, pop... chasing shadows.

Craven Cottage is being given a revamp, perhaps to coincide with a return to the big time?

Image source, Rex Features

The financial experts Deloitte suggest Brentford could earn as much as £160m from winning promotion.

It would be a timely boost for the Bees, who will move into a new, purpose-built 17,250-capacity Community Stadium next season.

Thomas Frank's side have been entertainers, scoring goals for fun. The BMW front line of Benrahma, Mbeumo and Watkins has seemingly been given the Alpina treatment, tuned to high revs, high-scoring. Just the 59 between them.

At the back, the fire and ice combination of Pontus Jansson and Ethan Pinnock provides a formidable barrier.

Image source, Rex Features

So what of our protagonists? The eyes of the world are on a global game played out between two teams just four miles apart as the crow flies, and a short hop on a bus from Wembley.

Brentford v Fulham is a West London derby with a difference, under the arch. It's a local rivalry supercharged with huge risk and bigger reward.

The Bees have not been in the top flight for 73 years. Fulham only came back down last season.

Image source, Rex Features

There is glory to be had. There is pride to be felt. There are riches to be savoured. But only for the winner.

There will be sweat, and tears. Nerves will be shredded. Sinews stretched and strained. Stomachs churned. Nails nibbled. Quickened pulses.

Few games in club football have quite so much at stake as the Championship play-off final.

It is a 'cup final' where the prize is not so much a tangible one. Premier League football, the gold standard, is the reward. And with that, all the trappings of the elite.