How the play-offs work The top two teams in League One are automatically promoted to the Championship, leaving four teams who finished third to sixth in the league table to battle it out for the third promotion place. In the semi-final, third plays sixth and fourth plays fifth over two legs, one home and one away. The teams in third and fourth will have the advantage of playing the second leg at home. The winner over the two legs in the semi-finals will then meet in the final and the winner of that will be promoted to the Championship. Where is the play-off final played? The play-off final is held at the neutral ground of Wembley Stadium. Which four teams are in the play-offs? The four teams in the play-offs will be determined after the final game of the season on Saturday, May 4th. What are the dates of the League One play-offs? Saturday, May 11th (7.30pm) - League One A 1st leg Sunday, May 12th (12.15pm) League One B 1st leg Thursday, May 16th (7.45pm) - League One A 2nd leg Friday, May 17th (7.45pm) - League One B 2nd leg Sunday, May 26th (3pm) - League One final How will it be determined which play-off is A and which is B? The EFL will make a decision after consulting the clubs involved and the police. Are the play-offs on TV? Yes. Sky Sports will broadcast every EFL play-off match, including the League One games. Ticket details Ticket details for the play-offs are yet to be announced, and they will be once the fixtures are confirmed. Do away goals count over the two legs in the semi-final? No. The away goals rule is not used in the EFL play-offs. So what happens if the aggregate score is level after the second leg? There will be 30 minutes of extra time and then, if still required, a penalty shoot-out. Is there extra-time in the final or is it straight to penalties after the 90 minutes? There will be extra time in the final at Wembley, too, if the scores are level after 90 minutes. Does the fourth sub rule apply? Yes. If either the semi-final or final goes to extra-time, both clubs will be permitted to use a fourth substitute. Sunderland brought on Charlie Wyke in the Checkatrade Trophy with this rule and he assisted Aiden McGeady's late equaliser.
well let me help, it would be 6th vs 3rd on the 11th then 3rd vs 6th on the 16th - Don vs Portsmouth prob. 5th vs 4th (Charlton vs us most likely) May 12 and may 17th return leg. final Mon 26th May, which means Charlton away 13 days time, mind it could get complicated by Sunday night. There were 26,000 for last year's final at wembley Rotherham vs Shrewsbury !
Monty now works for the EFL!! You may well be right - but this is the EFL and their decisions often make no sense - play off A & B would be decided after consultation with the clubs. I think it may be a discussion where they ask who wants to play in which tie and then it's awarded!!
That’s correct we will know the dates and times after the final table Club police etc will have there say
The Black Cats’ fifth-place finish means that there will be a shift in the initially-advertised play-off dates. And because the Wearsiders finished in the lower position, they will be forced to play their home leg first. Sunderland’s first-leg against Portsmouth will take place at the Stadium of Light next Saturday, 11th May, with a 7:30pm kick-off. The second-leg, at Portsmouth’s Fratton Park, will be played on Thursday 16th May with a 7:45pm kick-off.
Shame it won't be another visit to Wembley for both of us, RTB. Could easily have filled the ground again !
This first leg time is utter bollocks and has absolutely no regard for fans at all. Typical EFL bullshit really. I can;t go as I am gigging - I know a number of others struggling to get there too because of work commitments. Fans mean nothing to the EFL
I have real worries about this game and see a defeat looming unless Jack can come up with the goods and get us bouncing again
I think we're ****ed, frankly. Our form is utter pants. Still, probably go to Fratton Park for the second leg...
never knew the EFL decisions are made if you have the runs or not JOE, sounds like a load of ****e..............