The recent EFL rule change that could see Bristol City and Middlesbrough handed a boost when Derby County play West Bromwich Albion The race for the top six comes down to the final day The play-off race will go down to the final game of the season after Derby County's draw with Swansea City last night. A win for the Rams would have all-but guaranteed their place in the top six but they ended up drawing the game 1-1. It means there is all to play for on Sunday when Bristol City make the long trip up to Hull City for the last match of the season. The Robins are admittedly outsiders for the top six - they trail Derby by two points and Middlesbrough by one point, meaning that only a win and results elsewhere going their way will do. Middlesbrough have been misfiring recently and face a Rotherham United side who will no doubt be keen to end the season on a high note after being relegated. Yet both Boro and the Robins will also be keeping an eye out for what's going on at the Pride Park, where Derby host West Bromwich Albion. The Baggies have already made the play-offs, so could well opt to rest players against Derby in what could be bad news for the Robins and Middlesbrough. Yet a recently introduced EFL rule could mean the Baggies are forced into playing a stronger side than they want - which could hand Bristol City and Middlesbrough a boost. In 2017, Huddersfield Town made 10 changes to their starting XI for a game against Birmingham City late in the season, with the Blues going on to win 2-0 and get three points that gave their fight against relegation a huge shot in the arm. It angered Birmingham's relegation rivals that they were able to take advantage of a weakened Huddersfield side and, as a direct result, a vote was taken by EFL clubs to limit the amount of changes that can be made to starting XIs. The new rule says: "For any league match played on or after the fourth Thursday in March, any team sheet for a league game should include at least 10 outfield players who featured on the team sheet for the league match before." It added: "In the event any club breaches the threshold, they may be charged with a breach of Regulation 24 and the matter will be referred to a disciplinary commission." That means that at least 10 of the West Brom squad who were involved in their last match against Rotherham need to be on the team sheet for this Sunday's trip to Derby. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/recent-efl-rule-change-could-2822191
I can see it now; we overcome Hull 1-0 at theirs, Borough can only draw vs Rotherham and Derby lose to WBA - WE MADE IT by 1 place. ......... but then..... The EFL , after a lengthy debate, decide on a points deduction for the Bolton debacle and deduct 6 points from Boro, 3 from Derby and 4 from us, sending us back to 7th again on GD with FLDC getting 6th place.
