How will the EFL finish the season in 56 days? The key questions answered

The EFL has a plan to finish the season in 56 days once it is safe to resume.

English Football League clubs have been told the season can be completed in 56 days when it is safe to resume after the coronavirus pandemic.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the questions surrounding the bid to finish the season.

How many games are left in the EFL?

SOCCER Coronavirus EFL QandA — (PA Graphics)

How many rounds of fixtures are needed to finish the season?

Leeds United file photo — Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds are currently top of the Sky Bet Championship (Richard Sellers/PA)

Not every side has played the same amount of games – seven clubs in League One, including leaders Coventry have two games in hand on others.

Both League One and League Two would need 11 rounds of fixtures.

Does the 56-day spell include the play-offs?

Bradford City v Millwall – Sky Bet League One – Play Off – Final – Wembley Stadium — The play-offs are included in the EFL’s 56-day plan (Nigel French/PA)

The EFL could yet decide to have one legged semi-finals at a neutral venue which would save one game.

How often will teams have to play?

It could be a hectic end to the season (Ashley Western/PA)

Championship teams who reach the play-offs will have to play a game every 4.7 days on average. For teams in League One and Two, it will be a game every four days.

Has this level of congestion happened before?

Soccer – npower Football League Two – Burton Albion v Oxford United – Pirelli Stadium — Paul Peschisolido was Burton boss when they faced a congested fixture list (PA)

There have also been two clubs who have endured a run of 17 matches within a 56-day period since the turn of the century.

Burton, from March 1 to April 25, 2011, and Crawley, from February 22 to April 18, 2014, had to play through a packed schedule.

Who has the lightest schedule?

Southend United v Ipswich Town – Sky Bet League One – Roots Hall — Ipswich manager Paul Lambert is still chasing the play-offs (Steve Paston/PA)

Any team with only nine games remaining and no chance of reaching the play-offs will have the lowest number of matches to play.

Sides in Leagues One and Two who have 10 league matches remaining and could potentially be involved in the play-offs face the busiest schedule.