Fixtures: The English Football League (EFL) Championship stands as the second one tier of English football, simply under the Premier League. Comprising 24 clubs, it gives an aggressive and interesting spectacle for football enthusiasts. Each season, those teams vie for merchandising to the Premier League and try to keep away from relegation to League One.
Structure and Format of the EFL Championship
The Championship operates on a merchandising and relegation system:
Promotion: The pinnacle teams on the cease of the season earn computerized merchandising to the Premier League. Teams competing in third to sixth areas input a playoff, with the winner securing the 0.33 merchandising spot.
Relegation: The backside 3 teams are relegated to EFL League One.
2024-2025 Season Fixtures
The 2024-2025 EFL Championship season began on August 10, 2024, and is scheduled to finish on May 3, 2025. The season is split into numerous key periods:
Opening Weekend: The season started with matches on August 10, 2024. Notably, Leeds United confronted Portsmouth, and Blackburn Rovers performed in opposition to Derby County.
Mid-Season Fixtures: As of January 21, 2025, the season is in complete swing. Upcoming fixtures include:
Tuesday, January 21, 2025:
Blackburn Rovers vs. Coventry City at 19:45
Derby County vs. Sunderland at 19:45
Hull City vs. Queens Park Rangers at 19:45
Middlesbrough vs. West Bromwich Albion at 19:45
Oxford United vs. Luton Town at 19:45
Swansea City vs. Sheffield United at 19:45
Watford vs. Preston North End at 19:45
Millwall vs. Cardiff City at 20:00
Wednesday, January 22, 2025:
Leeds United vs. Norwich City at 19:45
Portsmouth vs. Stoke City at 19:45
Sheffield Wednesday vs. Bristol City at 19:45
Plymouth Argyle vs. Burnley at 20:00
Friday, January 24, 2025:
Sheffield United vs. Hull City at 20:00
Saturday, January 25, 2025:
Luton Town vs. Millwall at 12:30
Norwich City vs. Swansea City at 12:30
Stoke City vs. Oxford United at 12:30
Bristol City vs. Blackburn Rovers at 15:00
Cardiff City vs. Derby County at 15:00
Coventry City vs. Watford at 15:00
Preston North End vs. Middlesbrough at 15:00
Queens Park Rangers vs. Sheffield Wednesday at 15:00
Sunderland vs. Plymouth Argyle at 15:00
West Bromwich Albion vs. Portsmouth at 15:00
Monday, January 27, 2025:
Burnley vs. Leeds United at 20:00
Tuesday, January 28, 2025:
Portsmouth vs. Millwall at 19:45
Friday, January 31, 2025:
Blackburn Rovers vs. Preston North End at 20:00
Key Fixtures to Look Forward To
Several matches are expected to be especially aggressive and influential in the merchandising race:
Leeds United vs. Sheffield United: A Yorkshire derby that guarantees excessive depth and will have widespread implications for the pinnacle of the table.
Middlesbrough vs. Luton Town: Both teams are predicted to be in competition for merchandising, making this fixture vital for his or her aspirations.
Sunderland vs. West Bromwich Albion: A match among traditionally robust clubs, all aiming to steady their area in the Premier League.
Main rivalries in the EFL Championship?
There are numerous passionate rivalries in the EFL Championship, frequently tied to geographic proximity or historic competition. Some of the most extreme rivalries include:
Sheffield United vs. Sheffield Wednesday: Known because of the Steel City Derby, this contention is one of the most storied in English football, with each team primarily based totally in Sheffield.
Leeds United vs. Huddersfield Town: A Yorkshire contention that frequently brings extreme encounters.
Sunderland vs. Newcastle United: Although those teams have now no longer continually been in the Championship on equal time, after they are, the Tyne-Wear Derby among those North East clubs turns into a must-watch event.
How many teams get promoted from the EFL Championship?
In the EFL Championship, 3 teams get promoted to the Premier League on the cease of every season:
The pinnacle teams in the Championship standings on the crest of the everyday season (after 46 matches) robotically benefit merchandising to the Premier League.
The 0.33 team is decided via the playoffs, which contain the teams competing third to sixth in the standings. These teams compete in a -legged semifinal, and the winners of the semifinals face each other in a playoff at Wembley Stadium. The winner of the playoff very last secures the very last merchandising spot to the Premier League.
What time are EFL fixtures launched?
EFL fixtures are normally launched at 9:00 AM (UK time) on a Thursday, typically in the past due June, in advance of every new season. This launch time applies to all of the divisions in the EFL: the Championship, League One, and League Two.
What are the very best factors relegated to the Championship?
The most factors general for a team relegated from the EFL Championship is fifty six factors. This outstanding feat happened throughout the 2018-2019 season, while Ipswich Town had been relegated to League One notwithstanding gathering 56 factors.
Looking Ahead
The EFL Championship is one of the most interesting leagues in European football, with its mixture of aggressive fixtures, passionate fan bases, and excessive stakes for merchandising and relegation.
FAQs
How many teams are in the EFL Championship?
The EFL Championship includes 24 teams. These clubs are a mixture of traditionally installed teams, former Premier League sides, and clubs vying for merchandising into the pinnacle flight of English football. Each team performs a complete of forty six games in a season – 23 domestic and 23 away matches.
Can I watch EFL Championship matches?
Yes, lovers can watch EFL Championship games via numerous streaming platforms. In the UK, matches are broadcast with the aid of Sky Sports, even as global insurance varies with the aid of the region. In the US, matches are normally to be had via ESPN+ or through legitimate membership channels. Fans in India can get right of entry to decide on fixtures thru FanCode, a devoted streaming platform.
When do the EFL Championship playoffs take place?
The EFL Championship playoffs take place after the everyday season concludes. The playoff semi-finals are normally held in May, with the very last scheduled for the remaining weekend of May at Wembley Stadium. The winner of the playoff very last secures merchandising to the Premier League.
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