Premier League to become 22 teams for next season?

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 14 March 2020

The 2020-21 Premier League season could reportedly involve 22 teams, with Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion automatically promoted to the top flight.

The 2020-21 Premier League season could reportedly involve 22 teams, with Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion potentially being automatically promoted to the top flight.

The coronavirus outbreak has seen Premier League fixtures postponed until April 4, although there are suggestions that the season is unlikely to start again until June if it does at all.

The Premier League are due to meet on Thursday to discuss the situation, and according to The Telegraph, radical plans for a 22-team league next term will be put forward.

The report claims that Liverpool are likely to be handed the title if the season is cancelled due to the size of their lead at the summit, but there would be no relegation from the top flight. However, the top two in the Championship - Leeds and West Brom - would be promoted under the proposed plan.

Five teams could allegedly then be relegated at the end of the 2020-21 season to ensure that there would again be just 20 sides for the 2021-2022 campaign.

The EFL Cup would need to be axed in order for the system to work, though, as it would become a 42-match Premier League campaign.