The EFL has recognized because the revised format for the three European competitions was agreed by Uefa that their flagship cup competitors was going to be affected.
It’s why, for the previous two seasons, the third spherical has needed to be cut up over two weeks to stop golf equipment within the Champions League and Europa League from taking part in one another.
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Now, the secondary ingredient of the modifications has revealed itself.
The week allotted for the EFL Cup quarter-finals – starting 15 December – can also be the ‘unique week’ for the Convention League.
Following their victory at Crystal Palace now discover themselves double-booked.
Uefa competitions take precedence, so Palace’s ultimate Europa Convention League first part sport with Finnish facet KuPS will go forward on Thursday, 18 December, regardless.
However what occurs to their EFL Cup quarter-final in opposition to Arsenal?
Other than the allotted week and the week commencing 12 January, when the semi-final first leg is because of happen, have a match in each midweek to the start of February. In the event that they discover themselves within the Champions League play-offs, they won’t have one till April – after the ultimate has been performed.
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This offers the EFL an enormous headache.
Does it inform Palace they should play twice in the identical midweek – so Tuesday and Thursday? Does it attempt to squeeze it into the times simply earlier than Christmas, which might imply both Palace taking part in twice in three days or on Christmas Eve? Or does it have one other plan?
It is going to be fascinating to see how this unfolds.