Fulham's tally of 88 Championship points wasn't enough to overhaul Cardiff City for the second automatic promotion spot. The Cottagers are expected to be the team to beat in the play-offs though, priced at 15/8 (2.88) to claim the third and final Premier League spot for the 2018-19 campaign.
Slavisa Jokanovic's men started the campaign in disappointing fashion but their form since the festive period has been incredible.
A 2-1 win over Barnsley on December 23 kick-started a 23-game unbeaten run in which Fulham took 59 points from an available 69 before their defeat to Birmingham City on the final day of the regular season.
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The Cottagers finished 13 points better off than their semi-final opponents Derby County, who are 7/2 (4.50) outsiders to return to the top-flight for the first time since their ill-fated 2007-2008 campaign which saw the Rams pick up just 11 points.
Gary Rowett’s side have conceded the most goals of any play-off team this season (48) but the four sides involved are only separated by six strikes in that particular metric. At the other end of the pitch though, the East Midlands club do boast the league's leading scorer after Matej Vydra struck his 21st goal of the season in their 4-1 win over relegated Barnsley.
The other semi-final sees the two pre-season title favourites battle it out as Aston Villa (5/2) face Middlesbrough (11/4).
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Steve Bruce's men finished seven points better off after the regular 46-game campaign and Boro will have to improve on their record against the top teams if they are to bounce straight back to the top-flight.
The Teesiders won just one of their 10 meetings with the top six teams in the division, losing six of them.
Villa meanwhile, boast the third best home record in the second tier behind both promoted sides. The ability to capitalise in front of their own fans looks to be a key factor given the pair lost a combined 17 games on the road during the regular season.
The semi-finals get underway later this week with the two winning sides meeting at Wembley on May 26 for a spot in the Premier League.
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