EFL told to prepare for 'legal battle of epic proportions' if Portsmouth, Peterborough and Sunderland miss out on promotion due to PPG

According to a report in The Athletic, the third and fourth tiers of English football could be finished as early as Monday or Tuesday.

Clubs will apparently will vote on a method to decide promotion and relegation, with a weighted points-per-game system (PPG) based on how many matches sides have played home and away reportedly the current favourite.

That would see Pompey finish seventh on 74.63 points and miss out on promotion by a meagre 1.29 points.

Leaders Coventry, second-placed Rotherham and third-placed Oxford would go up o the Championship, with Tranmere, Bolton and Southend relegated.

In League Two, Swindon, Crewe, Plymouth and Cheltenham would be in the third tier next term, while Stevenage would be demoted to the National League.

However, the PPG method would leave the Blues, Fleetwood (74.99), Peterborough (74.92) and Wycombe (74.71) all feeling aggrieved with nine matches still remaining.

Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony has been a staunch supporter of completing the season, along with Pompey chief executive Mark Catlin.

The Posh supremo has threatened legal action if fixtures aren’t completed - and he believes he'd have support.

MacAnthony wrote on Twitter: ‘Three points from 2nd place. Best goal difference in our league. 9 games left, 5 at home (with one of best home records in league) and we play 7 games I think against 7 of bottom 11 clubs.

‘And @EFL & these owners think @theposhofficial will take these alleged decisions about to happen/get voted on according to the press laying down... not a chance.

‘Prepare for a legal battle of epic proportions & that won't just be from our club, trust me on that.’