Countdown has started as we get ready for season to move towards its conclusion
THE English Football League have confirmed that the Championship will return on Saturday, June 20.
England’s second tier has been suspended since mid-March due to the coronavirus crisis, but provisional plans are now in place for the return of matches.
The majority of Championship clubs have been hoping to fulfil the remaining nine fixtures of the 201920 season, although there has been some opposition, with Hull City among those hoping for a curtailment.
Here’s everything we know so far and what it means for Swansea City, Cardiff City and the other 22 sides.
WHEN DOES THE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON RESTART?
The EFL are hoping to restart the season on Saturday, June 20, three days after the Premier League is set to resume.
At this moment, it cannot be guaranteed that the Championship will definitely restart on this date. The EFL stated in their statement on Sunday night that June 20 is very much a provisional date and “is subject to the strict proviso that all safety requirements and government guidance is met; and that clubs receive clearance from their local authorities in order to stage matches at their home grounds.”
WILL GAMES BE PLAYED AT NEUTRAL VENUES?
As things stand, games will not be played at neutral venues like the police are planning for some Premier League matches.
“It remains our intention to play all remaining league matches at clubs’ home grounds as long as they comply with the relevant government guidance,” a statement from the EFL on Friday read.
“We will only seek to move matches if they are not permitted by the relevant local authority, following any representations from the local police force.”
WHAT WILL BE THE FIXTURES FOR THE OPENING WEEKEND?
There has been no indication on what fixtures will kick-off the restart. However, working on the presumption that the fixture schedule remains the same as when football was shut down on March 13, the following matches would take place on June 20.
Blackburn v Bristol City, Cardiff v Leeds, Fulham v Brentford, Huddersfield v Wigan, Hull v Charlton, Luton v Preston, Middlesbrough v Swansea, Millwall v Derby, QPR v Barnsley, Reading v Stoke, Sheffield Wednesday v Nottingham Forest, West Brom v Birmingham.
WILL ALL GAMES BE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS?
Yes. All matches will be played behind closed doors, the EFL have confirmed.
WILL MATCHES BE ON TV?
The EFL confirmed on Sunday that they remain in talks with Sky Sports regarding the broadcasting of fixtures. The EFL’s iFollow streaming service will also be used to show matches live.
“Whilst matches will unfortunately have to take place without supporters, we are working with our broadcast partners, EFL Championship clubs and all relevant stakeholders to broadcast the remaining 108 games plus Sky Bet Championship play-offs either live on Sky Sports, iFollow or a club’s equivalent streaming service,” EFL chair Rick Parry said.
WHEN WILL THE SEASON END?
The play-off final will bring the curtain down on the campaign. At the moment, July 30 is the scheduled date, give or take a day or two, according to the EFL, of when the final match of the season will take place.
HOW DOES THE TABLE CURRENTLY LOOK?
Leeds and West Brom have a strong grasp on the top two spots and look well placed to gain automatic promotion. Fulham, Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Preston occupy the four play-off spots, although only 10 points separate Brentford in fourth and Queens Park Rangers in 13th.
Cardiff are currently ninth with 54 points, two adrift of the top six, while Swansea are 11th on 53 points.
Barnsley, Luton and Charlton are the three sides currently in the relegation zone.
All 24 sides have nine matches left to play.
WHO DO SWANSEA AND CARDIFF HAVE TO PLAY?
Swansea: Middlesbrough (A), Luton (H), Millwall (A), Sheffield Wednesday (H), Birmingham (A), Leeds (H), Nottingham Forest (A), Bristol City (H) and Reading (A).