Brian Laws
Ex-Forest defender on BBC Radio Nottingham

What a great start from Forest. It was a brilliant counter-attack and a brilliant position for Forest to be in.

A dangerous free kick is floated in by Sheffield United.

James Garner tangles with Sander Berge and brings the Blades man down. There were justified shouts for a penalty there.

Philip Zinckernagel is picked-pocketed in the middle of the park.

The ball eventually finds Morgan Gibbs-White, he is keen to test Brice Samba from distance but his effort is blocked and eventually bounces harmlessly to the goalkeeper.

Sheffield United have seen plenty of the ball early on.

With a quick break, however, Brennan Johnson scampers away on the right for Nottingham Forest.

He tries to find Sam Surridge with a low cross, but Chris Basham reads the threat and intercepts with a sliding clearance.

It was a deep corner to the back post from Oliver Norwood.

John Egan got a head to it, but it was dealt with. The danger wasn't completely over, and the visitors had to again clear.

A long searching ball from deep forces Steve Cook to head behind for a corner.

The first test for Nottingham Forest now.

Carl Asaba
Former Sheffield United striker on BBC Radio Sheffield

It's an incredible atmosphere. I look down the Sheffield United line-up and I don't think there's anyone who will act irrationally, as an atmosphere like this can make people do silly things.

I wonder how Forest will cope with it.

Image source, PA Media

The home crowd at Bramall Lane are making an astonishing amount of noise.

They have ensured that it is an electric atmosphere.

And off we go on this fine, sunny day in South Yorkshire.

A huge 90 minutes ahead for both sides in this play-off tie.

Colin Fray
BBC Radio Nottingham

It’s well documented that Forest’s relationship with the play-offs has been an unhappy one - always ending in heartbreak, but it’s been 11 years since the Reds were last involved, and things feel different.

Things have felt different since Steve Cooper took charge. There’s an upbeat, positive nature about the head coach which has spread quickly through the entire club, and like the style of football they play, it feels on the front foot.

Since the dismissal of Chris Hughton in September, Forest’s record is the best in the Championship. Over 39 games they’ve consistently proved that they’re a dangerous attacking force, combined with a thrifty defensive unit.

With Forest rock-bottom when Steve Cooper walked in, and with one point from their first seven matches, no-one would have believed they’d make the top six. It’s been a remarkable and memorable story so far.

Now Forest must try to give their fans the perfect ending to that story.

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield United's poor record in the play-offs will have no bearing on their semi-final against Nottingham Forest, says Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom.

The Yorkshire side have been involved in the play-offs on eight previous occasions and never been successful.

"It's irrelevant to us," he told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"I don't know why people read into it. It's different players, different staff, different opponent. The whole thing is different.

"It might add to the atmosphere and the crowd, for things they might think about, but not for us."

Image source, Getty Images

A second generation of Johnson today strides onto the Bramall Lane pitch trying to help Nottingham Forest get past Sheffield United in the play-offs in a bid to reach the Premier League.

Brennan Johnson was just one-year-old when his father David tried to fire the Reds back to the top flight after what was then just a four-year absence.

In 2003, David scored in both home and away legs against the Blades. Each time, his goals puts Forest ahead.

At the City Ground, United hit back to level the tie 1-1. At Bramall Lane, Forest let slip a 2-0 lead to lose one of the great play-off games 4-3 after extra time.

Forest's wait for a Premier League return was put on hold and has remained as such for the 19 years since.

"It's a different time," Brennan said during the pre-game press conference this week. "We have the job to do. "We want to do go there and win and play as well as we can."

How much will this be one of those 'like father, like son' tales??

Image source, Reuters

Sheffield United stick with the side that beat Championship title winners Fulham 4-0 last time out.

Hopes were high that talismanic striker Billy Sharp would be fit to play, but he misses out against his former side.

Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper makes seven changes to the side that drew with Hull City last week, reverting back to the side that lost to Bournemouth. Jack Colback, Ryan Yates and Steve Cook are back.

Keinan Davis, who has missed the last month with a hamstring injury is named among the substitutes

Good afternoon and welcome to another game of high-stakes in the Championship.

Today, Sheffield United host Nottingham Forest in the first leg of their play-off semi-final.

The Blades are hoping to progress through the play-offs to get back to the Premier League at the first attempt, while Nottingham Forest are looking to end a 23-year absence.

Will it be an immediate return?

Image source, PA Media

Or does a long-awaited return beckon?

Image source, PA Media