Following on from last season's introduction of a new play-off format in Premier League 2, the end of our season will at first be determined with a round of 16 clash at home to Newcastle United on Friday, April 25 (7pm) at Mangata Pay UK Stadium in Borehamwood, which supporters can attend for free.
What was the old format?
In the 2022/23 season, Premier League 2 comprised the 25 clubs with Category One rated academies split into two divisions - 14 teams in Division 1 and 11 in Division 2 - with relegation and promotion of two clubs in each division.
Teams played each other home and away, with the two bottom clubs from Division 1 relegated and the champions of Division 2 going up along with another team determined by a play-off of the teams finishing second to fifth.
What is the new format?
Since the 2023/24 season, all Category One academies were put into one division.
There were 20 games, with each team playing 20 regular-season matches throughout the season.
How did we do?
Like Newcastle, we ended this season with 10 wins from 20 matches, but we edged one point ahead of them with one more draw and one less defeat.
We also both lost our final game of the season as we fell to a 4-3 defeat at West Brom while Newcastle lost 4-0 at Manchester City.
Last time we met was at Mangata Pay UK Stadium in February, when we won 4-1 thanks to goals from Sebastian Ferdinand, Khayon Edwards, Osman Kamara and Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand.
How will the play-offs work?
Now the regular season of 20 matchweeks has been completed, the top 16 teams qualify for a single elimination play-off.
Teams were drawn against each other based on their league positions - for example, the team finishing first will face the team that finished 16th. These will be one-off elimination matches with the higher-seeded team at home.
Each of the ties will take place this weekend, between Friday, April 25 and Monday, April 28. If a tie is level after 90 minutes, there will be extra-time, and then a penalty shootout if required.
In addition, the teams finishing the regular season in the top 12 will be invited to participate in next season’s Premier League International Cup competition.
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