It's often described as the most lucrative match in football and on Monday Crystal Palace and Watford will contest at Wembley in the Championship playoff final for a place in the Premier League.

The Bank Holiday Monday meeting brings to an end a miraculous season in the second tier that saw a final day like no other, with constant changes at the top, bottom and playoff places.

Ironically, the season ends as it started for both clubs, who met way back on the opening day of the season in August.

Palace made it to the playoffs thanks to a late victory over Peterborough on the last day while Watford could have gone up automatically had they beaten Leeds following Hull's draw with Cardiff.

The Hornets weren't able to do so and faced Leicester in the playoffs, defeating the Foxes 3-2 over the two legs. The scoreline itself doesn't do the incredible second leg justice. Leicester had a penalty to win it in the last minute but it was saved by Manuel Almunia before the home side raced down the other end and scored straight away.

Palace's route to the final was a little simpler as they overcame arch rivals Brighton thanks to a 2-0 win at the Amex after an opening-leg goalless draw.

Wilfried Zaha was the match-winner on the South Coast, scoring both goals for the Eagles, but this will be his last game for the club as he has agreed a summer move to Premier League champions Manchester United.

Palace manager Ian Holloway will also be without top scorer Glenn Murray, who is on the sidelines for an extended spell because of a cruciate injury. Aaron Wilbraham is set to start up front.

Hornets manager Gianfranco Zola has no new injury concerns ahead of the match and could start with the same XI that beat Leicester two weeks ago.

Watford got the better of Palace in the two meetings during the regular season, winning 3-2 at Selhurst Park on the opening day before a 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road.

Recent form

Palace: WDWDDD

Watford: WLLWWL

Possible starting lineups

Palace: Speroni; Ward, Delaney, Gabbidon, Moxey; Dikgacoi, Garvan, Jedinak, Williams, Zaha; Wilbraham

Watford: Almunia; Doyley, Ekstrand, Cassetti; Anya, Abdi, Chalobah, Battocchio, Briggs; Deeney, Vydra

Sports Mole says: 1-2