Checkatrade EFL Trophy 2017-18: Fixtures, results, & all you need to know

Goal brings you all you need to know about the English Football League tournament as the last 16 becomes clearer

The 2017-17 Checkatrade EFL Trophy is into the knock-out stage as clubs strive to reach the final at Wembley in April.

A total of 64 teams entered the competition, which kicked off at the end of August and the number has been whittled down following a competitive group stage.

It is not quite as prestigious or well known as tournaments such as the FA Cup or the League Cup, but in recent seasons it has featured some Premier League clubs.

Goal brings you all you need to know about the competition and the current state of play.

WHAT IS THE CHECKATRADE TROPHY?

The EFL (English Football League) Trophy - known as the Checkatrade Trophy for sponsorship reasons - is an annual knockout competition involving teams from England's League One and League Two.

It was first established in 1983 and it was initially known as the Associate Members' Cup before rebranding as the Football League Trophy in 1992.

Traditionally only clubs from League One and League Two were eligible to participate, but non-league teams have occasionally competed and, in recent years, academy teams from Premier League and Championship clubs have also been invited to take part.

Bournemouth won the first edition in 1984, with the likes of Wolves, Swansea City and Wigan Athletic among the clubs to raise the trophy.

Bristol City are the most successful club in the history of the competition with three titles, while Coventry City are the most recent champions.

CHECKATRADE TROPHY GROUP STAGE 2017-18

In 2017-18, for the first time in history, teams from Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham took part, joining the likes of Chelsea, West Ham and Everton.

Premier League clubs Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United declined their invitations to participate.

The 64 teams - 24 from League One, 24 from League Two and 16 academy teams from the Premier League and Championship  were divided into two sections (Northern and Southern) with each section containing eight four-team groups.

The winners and runners-up of each group can be seen below. Those teams progressed to Round Two.

The Premier League development/academy squads did not fare particularly well, and, of the 12 taking part, only West Ham, Chelsea, Leicester City and Swansea qualified from their groups.

Teams representing Manchester City, Tottenham, Everton, Stoke City, Newcastle, West Brom, Brighton and Southampton were all eliminated.

Notably, too, reigning champions Coventry City were also knocked out at this stage.

CHECKATRADE TROPHY KNOCK-OUT STAGE 2017-18

The first knock-out round - or Round Two - was also divided regionally along north-south lines and features 32 teams.

A Leicester City team featuring the likes of Leonardo Ulloa and Kelechi Iheanacho progressed with a win over Scunthorpe United, but West Ham and Swansea were knocked out.

Unlike Round Two, Round Three will not be divided along regional lines. It will be an open draw and the draw will be held live on talkSPORT on Friday December 8.

The 16 victorious teams from Round Two will enter the draw, which is due to kick off at 12:30 GMT, with former Arsenal player Perry Groves and comedian Bob Mills set to assist.

WHEN IS THE CHECKATRADE TROPHY FINAL?

The 2017-18 Checkatrade Trophy final is set to take place on Sunday, April 8 2018 at Wembley.

Last season's final between Coventry City and Oxford United, which attracted a record-breaking 74,434 spectators, kicked off at 14:30 BST and it is likely that a similar time will apply in 2018.