The English season climaxed when Manchester United lifted their 11th FA Cup last weekend but one last act remains with a premier league place up for grabs.
London clubs West Ham United and Crystal Palace play for a lucrative place among the elite in the first division promotion final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff today.
The Hammers, relegated a year ago, are favorites to bounce back into the top flight but defender Christian Dailly is well aware of the thin line between ecstasy and agony.
"It's probably the most exhilarating and satisfying way to get in the premier league, but it's certainly the most disappointing way to go out as well," Dailly said.
"We will do everything we can to make sure that no one connected with West Ham has any fear on Saturday [today]," the Scottish international told his club's official Web site.
Having missed out on the automatic promotion places secured by division one champions Norwich City and runners-up West Bromwich Albion, West Ham qualified for the playoff semifinals in fourth place while Palace scraped in last in sixth.
Palace then shocked third-placed favorites Sunderland with a 4-4 aggregate draw over two legs and victory on penalties, while manager Alan Pardew's West Ham overcame Ipswich Town 2-1 on aggregate.
Both are attacking sides with considerable skill up front but West Ham's defense, which has conceded only three goals in the last eight games, could make the difference.
"I think Steve Lomas coming back in the side has made a difference to us as well, because he does a great job in the middle of that park," Dailly said.
Lomas, who has played only eight games this season after injury problems, will be out to spoil the day for good friend Iain Dowie, his former team mate with both West Ham and Northern Ireland, who as a manager has been the architect of Palace's fine second half of the season since taking charge in December.
Palace went down 3-0 at West Ham in October.
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