Leeds United continue their bid to return to the Championship when they take on Carlisle United in the playoff semi-final first leg at Elland Road on Monday 12 May.
The 7:45pm kick-off is the third meeting of the season between the two teams, following Carlisle's 3-1 win at Brunton Park in November and Leeds's 3-2 home success last month.
That April victory for Gary McAllister's side perhaps provides the best form guide for the playoffs, as it was part of the five-match winless run with which Carlisle ended their League One campaign - a set of results that cost them automatic promotion and saw them slip to fourth in the table.
In contrast Leeds lost only one of their last ten matches to clinch fifth position, despite beginning the season with a controversial 15-point deduction.
As well as being crucial to both clubs' futures, the playoff semi-final has a number of unusual stories attached to it - including that of Dougie Freedman.
The on-loan striker has scored five times in 11 games for the Whites since arriving from Crystal Palace and now has the opportunity to win a double promotion, as the Eagles have made it through to the Championship playoffs.
"If my wishes come true then both teams will get promoted. My loyalties will be with Palace but in the meantime I've got a challenge in front of me and I'm hoping to overcome that and get Leeds promotion," Freedman told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Leeds's first team coach Neil McDonald also has special motivation for winning the tie and progressing to the Wembley final, as he was sacked from his position as Carlisle manager after the first game of the season.
The former Newcastle and Everton defender told the News & Star he still has no idea why he was dismissed, but added: "If we beat Carlisle over two legs then I'll be delighted. It would be very pleasing for me personally, but the semi-final isn't about revenge or anything like that. It's about pushing Leeds United over the finishing line, whoever's in our way."
Whites striker Anthony Elding is another who has an ulterior motive for ending Carlisle's hopes of promotion, as he was part of the Stevenage Borough side that lost the 2005 Conference playoff final to the Cumbrians. However, the 26-year-old is likely to find he has little chance to influence the outcome of the semi-final, as leading scorer Jermaine Beckford may be fit to return after missing the last four games with an ankle injury.
Definitely out of Monday's game and the return at Brunton Park on Thursday 15 May are suspended Whites full-back Alan Sheehan and injured Carlisle defender Paul Reid.
Leeds United Ladies return to FA Tesco Women's Premier League action on Sunday 11 May when they take on Cardiff City in a 2:00pm kick-off at Wetherby. With Leeds guaranteed third place and Cardiff already relegated, there appears to be little for either side to play for but Rick Passmoor's team will be keen to bounce back from their 4-1 FA Women's Cup final defeat against Arsenal.
© Adfero Ltd
