Derby County v Carlisle United to kick-off at 12.30pm

The EFL have today announced changed kick-off times for the last weekend of the campaign.

It will mean an earlier than normal start for the Blues' travelling fans as they make the 387-mile round trip to Pride Park on Saturday, April 27.

The game is likely to be United's last ahead of their return to League Two - while the Rams will be hoping to celebrate promotion.

All League One games on the last day of the campaign will start at 12.30pm.

League Two's closing fixtures will be played on the same day with a 3pm kick-off.

The Championship's final day, on Saturday, May 4, will also see matches start at 12.30pm.

It is the second consecutive season when United have been faced with an early away-day start on the last weekend because of kick-off time changes.

Last season they were hit with a 12.30pm start for the long trip to Sutton United, with King Charles III's coronation also seeing games put back to Bank Holiday Monday.

This season's kick-off changes will enable Sky Sports to devote live broadcasting time to both the third and fourth tiers as they look to cover any last-day drama.

Derby, who won 2-0 at Brunton Park in September, are pushing for promotion (Image: Ben Holmes)

There is unlikely to be any of that in United's case, with the Cumbrians likely to be relegated well before the April 27 finale.

But Derby could be set for a dramatic finish to the season. Paul Warne's side sit second in the table, and four points above the play-off places, with seven games remaining as they push for a return to the Championship.

The game will be United's first league visit to Pride Park - their previous away league game against Derby coming at the Rams' previous home of the Baseball Ground in 1983.

Carlisle have played once at Pride Park - in the League Cup in 2016, when Keith Curle's side drew 1-1 before losing 14-13 on penalties.