The EFL Sky Bet Play-Off Finals have arrived! It's time to #StepUp.
SETTING THE SCENE
The first of this year's EFL Sky Bet Play-Off Finals sees Newport County take on Tranmere Rovers under the famous arch at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25 May (kick-off 3pm). Both sides are no strangers to Wembley, with this trip Newport's fourth in just seven years, while Tranmere secured promotion to the EFL at the National Stadium only 12 months ago.
Having secured their Play-Off place with just four minutes of the regular season to spare, Newport will be hoping their incredible run and team spirit can take them all the way to Sky Bet League One. They'll be up against League Two's Golden Glove and Golden Boot winners in Scott Davies and James Norwood, however, with Tranmere strong at both ends of the pitch.
We are all set for what promises to be an unforgettable game.
FORM GUIDE
Newport's form has been well documented ahead of the Final, and it's teams with momentum that often perform well in the Play-Offs. County come into the game on the back of a 12-game unbeaten run, the majority of which also bringing clean sheets.
As for Tranmere, their Semi-Final victory over Forest Green Rovers was a welcome return to form, after they went four games without a win to close the regular season. They scored four more and conceded nine fewer goals than Newport in 2018/19.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This weekend's meeting will be just the 27th between the sides since the first in 1959. In that time, it's Tranmere who hold the advantage, but only just - they've won 10 games to Newport's nine, and there have been seven draws.
More recently though, it's County who have got the better of their opponents, winning one and drawing one of their games against Tranmere in 2018/19. Their most recent clash, at the start of last month, finished goalless, suggesting their meeting at Wembley could be too close to call.
FOLLOW THE FINAL
The 2019 League Two Play-Off Final will be shown live on Sky Sports. Live build-up and updates for the game will also be provided via @SkyBetLeagueTwo on Twitter, ‘The EFL’ on Facebook and @EFL on Instagram.
Those heading to Wembley can read a host of exclusive interviews and features in the matchday programme, including those with the likes of Newport striker Padraig Among and goalkeeper Joe Day, as well as Tranmere's top scorer Norwood and midfielder David Perkins.
There are also pieces with a couple of cult heroes, a tactical view of the game with a high-profile pundit and views from both sides of the press box.
THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Referee: Ross Joyce
Assistants: Nik Barnard and Rob Smith
Fourth official: Eddie Ilderton
Reserve assistant referee: Matthew Lee