Preston North End

The English Football League is considering expanding the Championship play-offs from four teams to six, adding an “eliminator” round in a bid to inject more drama into season endings and reduce “dead-rubber” matches. 

Under the proposal — presented by Preston North End CEO Peter Ridsdale in a meeting with Championship clubs — the fifth-placed team would host the eighth-placed, and the sixth would host the seventh, in single tie “eliminator” matches. The winners of those matches would then face the third- and fourth-placed clubs in two-legged semi-finals, culminating in the traditional final at Wembley to decide promotion.

Championship club executives …