There's just one more spot remaining for the EFL Championship playoff final on Saturday, May 27 which will determine the team promoted to the Premier League.
Luton Town ousted Sunderland 3-2 on aggregate after their second leg, following a 2-0 win at Kenilworth Road.
Despite Middlesbrough being the second-highest scorers in the Championship this season, their semifinal first leg against Coventry ended goalless at Coventry Building Society Arena. The two sides play the second leg on Wednesday, May 17.
The close nature of that second series means we could see the score level on aggregate after two 90-minute matches have been played. The Sporting News looks at what rules and stipulations may then apply.
MORE: Where to watch Luton Town vs Sunderland
Is the away goals rule in EFL Championship playoff semi finals?
The away-goals rule is used in some tournaments when the aggregate score is level after both the home and away legs. It dictates that the team that scores more goals away from home will go through, which theoretically encourages more attacking football on the road.
The rule will not be used as a tiebreaker in the Championship playoff semifinals to decide the winner of the tie.
If the aggregate score is level after 90 minutes of the second leg, the match will go into extra time. If the scoreline still remains even, a penalty shootout will decide who progresses to the final.
Why was the away goals rule abolished?
The EFL abolished the away-goals rule far earlier than UEFA, getting rid of the tiebreaker back in 1999 due to the work of David Sheepshanks.
Sheepshanks was the chairman of Ipswich Town and his side had been on the wrong side of the away-goals rule twice in three years. He was not happy with the situation as Ipswich had finished higher in the league standings than their opponents on both occasions.
As he was also vice-chairman of the EFL, he led the proposal to replace the away goals with extra time and penalties.
EFL Championship semifinal playoff dates
The final of the EFL Championship playoff will be played at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 27 at 4:45 p.m. BST.
The League Two playoff final will be played on the following Sunday, with the League One playoff final being played on Monday, May 29.
| Match | 1st Leg | 2nd Leg | Agg. Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luton Town vs Sunderland | 1-2 | 2-0 | 3-2 |
| Middlesbrough vs Coventry | 0-0 | Wed, May 17 | TBD |
| Final: Luton Town vs TBD | Saturday, May 27 | ||