I think a new thread is in order to reflect ESPN moving the content to + and showing more League One/Two matches. Presumably every playoff match from all three divisions too. http://www.espn.com/watch/espnplus First up: Thurs Apr 12 2:40 PM ET Bradford City vs. Shrewsbury Town (English League One)
I have a feeling that the number of matches from England will increase on this service. In a perfect world, they would start streaming non league matches as well. The non league playoffs would be fun to watch.
Different rights package (with the National League - formerly Conference) but I can't imagine it being that expensive or hard to acquire. BT hold the UK rights (as opposed to Sky for the Football League). Interesting format being used in that league starting this season -- http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/the-national-league/new-playoff-plans-rolled-national-league/
The run in -- Friday, April 27th ENGLISH LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP 2:40 PM Fulham vs. Sunderland (English League Championship) Saturday, April 28th ENGLISH LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP 9:55 AM Aston Villa vs. Derby County (English League Championship) 12:25 PM Middlesbrough vs. Millwall (English League Championship) Sunday, May 6th ENGLISH LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP 7:25 AM TBC 7:25 AM TBC The proposed 2017/18 Sky Bet Play-Off Semi-Final schedule is as follows:* Sky Bet Championship Friday 11th May: Championship A – 7:45pm Saturday 12th May: Championship B – 5:15pm Monday 14th May: Championship A – 7:45pm Tuesday 15th May: Championship B – 7:45pm Sky Bet League One Thursday 10th May: League One A – 7:45pm Saturday 12th May: League One B – 12:30pm Sunday 13th May: League One A – 5:15pm Wednesday 16th May: League One B – 7:45pm Sky Bet League Two Saturday 12th May: League Two A – 3pm Saturday 12th May: League Two B – 7:30pm Thursday 17th May: League Two A – 7:45pm Friday 18th May: League Two B – 7:45pm Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final: Saturday 26th May 2018 Sky Bet League One Play-Off Final: Sunday 27th May 2018 Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Final: Monday 28th May 2018
No confirmed listings for last day ESPN+ Championship and League One matches - but if I’m guessing: League One maybe Charlton (playoff placed) v Rochdale (relegation placed) Championship Birmingham v Fulham Derby v Barnsley or Preston v Burnley Burton
That's Preston v Burton. I'm thinking it's Derby-Barnsley and Preston-Burton because it's 6 and 7 (the two contenders for the final playoff spot) vs 21 and 22 (the two main contenders for the final survival spot). Birmingham are safe unless they lose and both Barnsley and Burton win AND Reading get something at Cardiff while Fulham can only get automatic promotion if Cardiff lose or draw, so the immediate stakes are higher in the other two matches. Although it would be great if they showed all those three plus Cardiff-Reading since they're all very impactful (and even Bolton-Forest since Bolton have an outside shot at survival), but the other 7 are meaningless.
ESPN have decided on the 2 matches that will decide which team joins Wolves in the Premier League via direct promotion: - Birmingham City v Fulham - Cardiff City v Reading Both at 7:30am ET on Sunday, May 6th - http://soccertvblog.com/england-tv/ SA
At least these games also have an impact on relegation indirectly as well, I still would have gone with the two that directly impacted the playoff race and relegation. Cardiff is a point ahead of Fulham but Fulham has the goal difference advantage meaning Fulham only needs to better Cardiff's result. I doubt ESPN picked these, though, as the EFL likely decides which matches are broadcast internationally.
Reading's goal differential is 10 better than Birmingham, so if Birmingham loses Reading just needs to not lose by double-digits to finish ahead of Birmingham. Birmingham's goal differential is 4 better than Bolton. Birmingham will be relegated if they lose by 4 and at least 2 of Barnsely, Burton, and Bolton win.
Didn't see it listed above, but ESPN+ is showing Scunthorpe United v. Plymouth Argyle today in League One (same time as Champions League). Crucial game for a playoff spot. Charlton currently in 5th on 71 pts with one game remaining; Scunthorpe United on 70 in 6th and Plymouth on 68 in 7th, both with two games remaining (including today's head to head).
The matches selected are not ESPN's call....they are the two matches selected for international broadcast by the EFL: https://www.efl.com/clubs-and-competitions/tv-games/international-games/
As I would have expected, looks like ESPN+ only coverage for the playoff finals. Space on ESPN networks at a premium with a lot going on Memorial Day weekend. Sat May 26 11:55 AM ET English League Championship Playoff (Final) (National Broadcast) Sun May 27 9:55 AM English League One Playoff (Final) Mon May 28 9:55 AM English League Two Playoff (Final)