Having had 15 points deducted before the campaign started and with a managerial change mid season, Leeds have done exceptionally well to make the play-offs. Gary McAllister's men have been in good form at the end of the season winning three successive games. Carlisle finished four points better off than their play-off opponents and came ever so close to grabbing an automatic promotion position to the Championship. Whilst Leeds' Jermaine Beckford could be the main threat for Leeds, Carlisle's success has been built on a solid defence particularly goalkeeper Keiren Westwood and defender Danny Livesey.

In a season where English clubs have dominated the Champions League, it is fitting that the two best teams in England will compete for the biggest prize in Europe in this Moscow final. Chelsea finally saw off Liverpool in the semi-finals after losing twice in three years at the same stage in previous years. Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard were the match winners in the second leg as Avram Grant finally moved out from the shadow of Jose Mourinho. Manchester United disposed of Barcelona in their semi-final, the key to the success was a rock-solid back line and a brilliant goal from Paul Scholes which was the difference over two games. This final could be dire like the FA Cup final between these two teams last season but with the players on show could also well be a classic. There will be a number of intriguing individual battles, much will depend on if Chelsea can keep PFA Player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo quiet, whilst United will be aiming to stop Michael Ballack who in recent games has been a driving force for the Blues.