Leeds United will be affected by a change in the Premier League’s under-21 league format

The Premier League has made modifications to their under-21 league competition, Premier League 2, affecting Leeds United’s second string.

Last season, Premier League 2 consisted of 25 clubs with ‘Category One’ academies divided into two categories – 14 teams in Division 1 and 11 teams in Division 2 – with two clubs in each division relegated and promoted.

Teams played each other at home and away, with the worst two clubs in Division 1 relegated and the Division 2 champions, along with another team chosen by a playoff of the teams placing second to fifth, promoted.

However, the format will change this season with only one division made up of 26 clubs with Category One Academies.

Those teams will be divided into five pots based on performances over the past three seasons. Fixtures will be determined by a draw made according to clubs’ positions in the five seeded pots.

There will be 20 matchweeks, with each team playing 20 regular-season matches throughout the season. Teams will play each club in their own seeding pot once, as well as three to five teams in all other pots either home or away.

Those results will generate a table ranking the 26 teams. After the regular season of 20 matchweeks has been completed, the top 16 teams will qualify for a single elimination playoff.

Teams will be drawn against each other depending on their league positions, for example, the first-place squad will face the 16th-place club. These will be one-time elimination matches at home against the higher-seeded team.

In addition, the top 12 teams from the regular season will be invited to compete in the Premier League International Cup competition the following season.

Leeds was promoted from Premier League 2 Division Two previous season, however due to the alterations, they will now play in Division One rather than Division Two. Fixtures are expected to be released next week, in the week beginning Monday, July 31.

Clubs who will make up next season’s Premier League 2