Fulham:
The 'Cottagers' are considered many people's favourites to emerge from the play-offs as the latest side to clinch a return to the promised land, however, they will be ward of the fact that they were also heavily backed at the same stage last season, only to lose to Reading 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals. Having chased automatic promotion in the latter weeks of the season, falling at the final hurdle will have hurt and the club will have to bounce back from that disappointment if they are to safely navigate the cut-throat business that is the play-offs. In Ryan Sessegnon they have arguably the most talented young player in English football right now, with the 17-year-old having started all but one of the club's 46 championship encounters this season, scoring 15 goals and laying on six assists in the process.
Manager: Slavisa Jokanovic
Key Player: Aleksandar Mitrovic - The Serb has had a huge impact since joining on loan from Newcastle United on deadline day, scoring 12 goals since February. The bulky target man provides Fulham with exactly the sort of focal point they previously lacked and his bustling approach has helped create the platform for the likes of Stefan Johansen, Ryan Sessegnon and Lucas Piazon to play.
Form: A shock defeat to struggling Birmingham City on the final day ended their 23-game unbeaten run and put paid to their chances of pipping Cardiff City to second, but their form had previously been imperious, winning 18 and drawing five of those 23 encounters.
Aston Villa:
Given the funds that have been pumped into the club since their relegation, this season was very much sink or swim for the 'Villains'. Failure to secure promotion will force the club to cut their cloth accordingly, though they made the play-offs with relative ease in the end, finishing 10 points clear of Preston North End in seventh. Jack Grealish has matured significantly this season, taking the playmaking reins in midfield. Albert Adomah and Robert Snodgrass provide Championship experience and quality out wide, whilst a core featuring the likes of Sam Johnstone, John Terry and Glen Whelan is as solid as they come.
Manager: Steve Bruce
Key Player: Albert Adomah - The wideman has supplied his team with 14 goals and five assists in his 39 Championship appearances so far this season and has tasted both play-off heartbreak and promotion joy during his time with Middlesbrough.
Form: Villa go into the play-offs having won just four of their last 10 games, though if you shrink that sample down they have won four, drawn one and lost one of their last six, with that defeat coming in a final day dead-rubber against Milwall.
Middlesbrough:
Having been tipped for an automatic return to the top flight at the start of the season, many onlookers would see a play-off place as disappointing from a Middlesbrough point of view, but the club's fans are simply grateful to have another crack of the promotion whip after Garry Monk's underwhelming tenure. The arrival of Tony Pulis in December sparked new life in several players, not least livewire winger Adama Traore and Championship colossus Dani Ayala. With the spine of the team still remarkably similar to the one that secured promotion two years ago, Middlesbrough certainly have the experience and the manager to make life difficult for their opponents.
Manager: Tony Pulis
Key Player: Adama Traore - Tony Pulis' arrival saw the youngster reborn. Having been in and out of the side under Monk, Traore has been a fixture since January, quickly establishing himself as one of the most exciting players in the Championship as he racked up five goals, eight assists and an uncountable number of electric displays since January.
Form: Having had a terrible record against sides in the top half for a long period of the season, Boro turned things around slightly with vital wins over Bristol City, Millwall and Derby during their run-in. Those victories are a testament to the spirit Tony Pulis has instilled in the group, with the Welshman encouraging his players to enjoy the big games. Naturally, there is no bigger game at this level than a play-off clash. The Teessiders have lost just twice in their last 14 games and have only conceded more than one goal in a game five times in their last 24 games, getting on the scoresheet themselves in their last 14.
Derby:
After threatening to "do a Derby", the 'Rams' eventually made it over the line on the final day thanks to their victory over Barnsley. Despite undoubtedly having a large amount of quality in their side, Derby have a history of shooting themselves in the foot at this stage of the season and the club's fans will be hoping that history doesn't repeat itself this season. The additions of Tom Huddlestone, Curtis Davies, David Nugent and Cameron Jerome have added plenty of experience to the squad, the importance of which cannot be underestimated.
Manager: Gary Rowett
Key Player: Matej Vydra - Recently crowned the Championship's top scorer after netting 21 times this campaign, Vydra is certainly one to watch going into the play-offs. Whatsmore, the Czech has tasted play-off final disappointment before back in 2013/14 with Watford and he will no doubt be eager to make amends this time out.
Form: Incredibly, Rowett's men won just four of their last 16 Championship games, suffering defeats against fellow play-off hopefuls Middlesbrough and Fulham and drawing with Aston Villa. When it comes together for them though they are an extremely dangerous side going forward, having scored three or more in a game on no fewer than 10 occasions this season.