Image source, Getty Images

In terms of play-off agony, Brentford and their fans have probably suffered more than any other club.

The Bees have taken part in a record nine EFL play-off campaigns without winning promotion.

The west London club have lost four finals, including defeat at Wembley last August.

Brentford match Preston North End's 10 appearances in the end-of-season jamboree this year. Can they finally find success?

Image source, Rex Features

Meanwhile, Brentford head coach Thomas Frank embarks on a second consecutive play-off campaign looking to go one step further.

The Bees, who have secured back-to-back third-placed finishes in the Championship, were beaten in last season's play-off final by Fulham.

Frank says his squad have used that defeat by the Whites to spur them on during 2020-21.

"I think it has definitely been the fuel throughout the season and the players have used it brilliantly," the Dane said.

"Now it is the cup tournament of the season, it is still a fuel, but also an experience that, even if you do everything perfect, you can still lose a match.

"We need to go into the match with that burning desire. Leave everything out there. Be brave. Do what we normally do.

"We are ready. We will attack and know we're going to play against a good team in Bournemouth, who have done fantastic."

Image source, Rex Features

Bournemouth head into the play-offs in poor form, losing their final three games of the season to finish sixth in the Championship table.

The Cherries are aiming to secure an immediate return to the Premier League, but boss Jonathan Woodgate claims his side are the underdogs for this tie.

"Brentford are an outstanding team and no doubt they'll be favourites," Woodgate told BBC South Today.

"In two-legged ties, you have to try and stay in the game as long as you can.

"There's lots of people in this squad and in my backroom staff who had experience of these big two-legged play-offs, so we're hoping that will stand us in good stead.

"We know it's going to be difficult, but we're looking forward to the challenge."

Adam Williams
BBC Sport at the Vitality Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

Food stalls are back serving snacks and drinks, tunrstiles are clicking again and seat backs are thudding up and down as supporters stand up and sit down in this ground for the first time in a long time.

Around 2,000 lucky home fans have got through a ticketing ballot to be here for this first leg and a well-oiled system of staggered entry to the four stands saw them all get out of the sharp showers earlier and inside the ground.

Not long to go now for them as they hope to roar their side towards an immediate return to the Premier League.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Rex Features

There's one big thing to mention off-field about this evening's game.

The latest easing in lockdown restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic means supporters will be in attendance tonight.

Around 2,000 Bournemouth supporters made their way to the Vitality Stadium in soggy conditions to cheer on the Cherries.

Image source, Getty Images

Going on form, Brentford come into the play-offs in a much better position than the hosts.

The Bees have won their past four matches and are unbeaten in 12.

Bournemouth lost their final three games of the campaign - although the Cherries had won seven in a row in the league before that.

Brentford came out on top in both meetings in the regular season, including a 1-0 victory with 10 men at the Vitality Stadium last month.

Adam Williams
BBC Sport at the Vitality Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

Welcome to Bournemouth where I can say it has felt like anything but spring in the past couple of hours.

We've had some monumental claps of thunder and lightning as well as some very, very heavy showers.

But the good news is the pitch looks absolutely pristene still so I'm glad to say there's no immediate threat of the pitch being waterlogged.

The rain just about managed to ease up in time for Bournemouth manager Jonathan Woodgate and his players to make the walk across the pitch from their team coach to the dressing rooms earlier.

Image source, Rex Features

Bournemouth boss Jonathan Woodgate names the same side (and substitutes) from their 2-0 home defeat by Stoke on the final day of the season.

Bournemouth XI: Begovic, A Smith, Carter-Vickers, S Cook, Kelly, Pearson, Lerma, Brooks, Billing, Danjuma, Solanke.

Subs: Travers (GK), Stacey, Mepham, Rico, Wilshere, Riquelme, Anthony, Long, Surridge.

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank also sticks with the same starting XI from last time out, a 3-1 win at Bristol City.

The Bees are boosted by the return of Henrik Dalsgaard and Rico Henry from injury, with both full-backs named on the bench.

Brentford XI: Raya, Jansson, Norgaard, Pinnock, Roerslev, Jensen, Janelt, Canos, Fosu, Toney, Forss.

Subs: Daniels (GK), Henry, Dalsgaard, Goode, Reid, Bidstrup, Marcondes, Ghoddos, Mbeumo.

Image source, Rex Features

Kicking off the play-offs this year is the Championship.

One of Brentford, Swansea, Barnsley and Bournemouth will be taking their place in the Premier League next season.

Here's what's coming up this evening:

• Bournemouth v Brentford (18:00 BST)
• Barnsley v Swansea City (20:15 BST)

The second legs of these ties are on Saturday, with the final at Wembley on Saturday, 29 May.

With kick-off under half an hour away, team news from the Vitality Stadium is next.

After a frantic campaign in the English Football League, 12 clubs who missed out on automatic promotion have another shot at going up.

Since their introduction in 1986-87 the play-offs have provided countless moments of drama.

From injury-time winners to penalty shoot-outs via own goals, crucial saves, comebacks and capitulations, there is nothing quite like it.

For supporters, there's a fine line between the incredible highs of victory and the despair and anguish of defeat.

The play-offs start here, culminating in three finals across the Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May. You don't want to miss it.

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