CHRIS WHEELER: Fans are flocking to the EFL for a thrilling fight to finish the season

The Premier League title race is about to hit the final lap, and there could hardly be a better game to lead the way than Manchester City’s clash with Liverpool on Saturday lunchtime as the champions chase leaders Arsenal.

Outside the top-flight, however, there is no shortage of excitement or interest as the promotion and relegation battles reach a climax over the next two months.

Sportsmail has obtained exclusive figures showing that Sky Bet EFL competitions are healthier than ever.

Attendances are up in the Championship, League One and League Two, leading to an overall rise of 12 per cent across the Football League.

More than 14 million fans have been to games at the 72 clubs so far this season, with the highest number of season tickets sold this century.

Attendances have been up in all EFL competitions this season, with Sunderland’s Boxing Day clash with Bristol bringing in over 40,000 in the Championship

Burnley are overwhelming favourites to win the Championship but behind them lies a tense play-off battle

Carabao Cup crowds are up 8 per cent on last season and 87,306 – the competition’s biggest attendance in eight years – were at Wembley to see Manchester United beat Newcastle in the final last month.

The Papa Johns Trophy has also seen a three per cent increase as Bolton Wanderers prepare to face Plymouth Argyle in the final on Sunday when another big crowd of 75,000 is expected.

CHAMPIONSHIP

It’s not just the Premier League that is back with a bang. The Championship returns on Friday when Burnley and Sunderland – two of the best supported teams in the EFL – meet at Turf Moor.

Sunderland’s Boxing Day clash with Bristol attracted 43,921, the highest crowd outside the top-flight so far this season.

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The average Championship attendance is 18,459 – 13 per cent higher than at this stage last year.

Plymouth are top of League One but Sheffield Wednesday sit just a point behind them

Burnley are overwhelming favourites to win the title and return to the Premier League at the first attempt, with Sheffield United currently in second.

But the play-off battle is shaping up to be typically fierce with 12 points separating third-placed Middlesbrough from Watford in 10th.

Wigan are in deep trouble at the foot of the table after having three points deducted for failing to pay their players on time, but a number of clubs could still be dragged into the relegation battle.

LEAGUE ONE

Crowds in the third tier are up by seven per cent with an average of 10,478. Hillsborough saw the biggest attendance when 33,442 saw Sheffield Wednesday, currently in second place, beat leaders Plymouth last month.

However, the League One title is far from a two-horse race with Ipswich and Barnsley close behind. The presence of Bolton and Derby County mean that five of the top six berths are occupied by former Premier League teams.

Leyton Orient are five points clear at the top of League Two where second and 10th are separated by just 14 points 

Bottom club Forest Green Rovers have given themselves a glimmer of hope by upsetting Sheffield Wednesday last weekend to hand Duncan Ferguson his first win as manager, and a number of clubs will be glancing nervously over their shoulders as Morecambe and Cambridge United try to climb out of trouble.

LEAGUE TWO

Average attendances of 5,583 have driven a huge 19 per cent increase compared to the same stage last season, with a League Two high of 20,383 watching Bradford City’s win over Colchester United earlier this month.

Leaders Leyton Orient are on course to return to League One for the first time in eight years, but the other promotion spots are up for grabs with only 14 points separating second-placed Northampton and Barrow in 10th.

At the bottom of the table, Hartlepool and Rochdale – who sacked manager Jim Bentley this week – face a battle to avoid dropping into the National League.