We round up what Dean Smith and James Shan have had to say ahead of Aston Villa v West Brom on Saturday.
Dean Smith adamant West Brom are favourites in play-off clash
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has moved to shift the pressure off his side and claimed West Brom are favourites in their promotion showdown.
The Baggies head to Villa Park for the first leg of their Sky Bet Championship play-off semi final on Saturday.
Albion beat Villa 2-0 away and drew 2-2 at home during the regular season to finish fourth, a place and four points above Villa.
Smith's side won a club record 10 straight games to rocket into the top six after looking like they were going to miss out.
But Smith insists the Baggies are the team to beat ahead of their Villa Park meeting.
He told a press conference: "It is going to be a difficult game against West Brom, I know several pundits out there are saying we will be the favourites, but West Brom have been above us all season.
"They are the ones who came down from the Premier League and have a squad of Premier League players.
"We have yet to beat them this season, so for me I think they are the favourites and we are looking forward to spoiling their party.
"All we can concentrate on is ourselves. I have heard people talk already saying Villa think they are at Wembley already. Far from it.
"We have only ever taken one game at a time. West Brom have been in the play-offs a lot longer than we have."
Smith is likely to recall John McGinn, Tammy Abraham and Jack Grealish who were all rested for the final day 2-1 defeat to champions Norwich.
Villa lost the play-off final 1-0 to Fulham last season having been relegated from the Premier League in 2016.
Smith replaced Steve Bruce in October and underlined promotion always remained the goal.
"When I first came in here, I said our remit was to get promoted. Unfortunately we didn't manage to get anywhere near being in the first two," he added.
"We managed to get in the top six, so we have to go down the play-off route."
First leg odds (via Sky Bet)
Finish line in sight for Baggies - Shan
West Brom caretaker boss James Shan believes his side are ready to take care of business as they head into the first leg of their Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final against Aston Villa.
The Baggies ended the regular season in fourth place, some nine points off automatic promotion.
Shan took over from Darren Moore at the start of March, but was unable to claw back lost ground as Sheffield United went on to secure a return to the Premier League behind champions Norwich, as Leeds' challenge faded.
There is, though, plenty of football left in the 2018-2019 Championship campaign - with Derby also hunting down the last remaining place in the top flight as they prepare to meet Leeds.
Given the unpredictability of the play-offs - where West Brom will face a Villa side which had won a club-record 10 straight games to cement their own top-six finish - Shan is determined to keep the squad focused on what got them this far.
"Anybody we would face would be a competitive game," Shan said.
"We could play anyone in the division and we would still have that intensity and focus."
Shan added at a press conference: "Everyone is aware of the magnitude of the game.
"It is the business end of the season, the finishing line is in sight. We have got to take care of our business.
"It will be a special occasion, and one we are looking to embrace."
Shan confirmed forward Hal Robson-Kanu will not be available for any of the play-off fixtures as he starts a three-match suspension.
Wales international Robson-Kanu was shown a red card for lashing out at Derby midfielder Bradley Johnson in the closing stages of the last Championship match of the regular campaign, which West Brom lost 3-1.
The Baggies had been considering an appeal to see if the length of ban could be reduced, which would have opened up the possibility of Robson-Kanu being available for a potential trip to Wembley.
However, the club decided against an approach to the Football Association on the grounds of the punishment being excessive.
Captain Chris Brunt is expected to return to the side having been rested for the final-day match against Derby - when another yellow card would have seen him subject to a ban.
Odds correct as of 1620 BST on 09/05/19
