The FA has confirmed on Thursday that matches will resume in the English topflight on 17th June with Arsenal locking horns with Manchester City at the Ethiad and Aston Villa hosting fellow newcomer Sheffield United in the opening matches.
Ahead of the return of games, Oltsports takes a look at 11 things to expect when the players take to field again.
Players to boycott matches
With the Coronavirus still out there spreading and some players have expressed fears over returning for matches, it should be expected that some players will not resume when the league returns.
Watford captain Troy Deeney has made it known previously thay he will not return for training due to the safety of his son who has difficult breathing.
Other players have also voiced out their displeasure with the ‘Project restart’, hence, expect some players to be missing when matches resume.
Shocking results
Having been on a forced break for over two months with no team trainings, players will be only training together for few weeks before matched resume. Hence, the remaining fixtures of the season could turn out to be ‘anybody’s game’ and no one is to be branded ‘favourite’.
An example has been seen in the BundesLiga as Freiburg draw at Leipzig on the opening day of the league restart while Schalke have been without a win since the restart.
Five substitutions per team
Teams have been allowed to make five substitutions in a match after the International Football Association Board made the decision to aid the return of matches and help players cope with the Coronavirus effect.
The IFAB statement said: “The temporary amendment comes into force with immediate effect, and has been made as matches may be played in a condensed period in different weather conditions, both of which could have impacts on player welfare.”
The rule will only be used for the current campaign and will not be applicable to the 2020-21 season.
Empty Stadiums and disappearance of home advantages
Home teams have been known to have the upper hand in football but with the imminent return of matches without the fans attending, it would mean ties will be balanced as it will seem teams are playing on neutral grounds.
Unusual caution
Due to the several rules set to ensure the protection of players and curb the spread of the Coronavirus, players are bound to get carried away and ended up getting booked if the VAR spots any misconduct.
It’s not about winning, it’s about playing
” When it comes to the integrity of this season anyway, it’s already gone ” Troy Deeney.
The statement can not be more than accurate. Knowing fully well the risks involved in playing amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, players might be less committed and matches will not be as competitive and fierce nor filled with passion and desires as it used be. Every player will be more concerned with their security.
Liverpool to win the league in the early weeks of the restart
The Reds have waited over 30years to taste the glory of winning the league title despite having won it 18 times. However, they have been made to wait even longer due to the effect of the Coronavirus but with 25 points ahead of second place Manchester City and nine matches to spare, it is expected that the Anfield club seal the title win in the early weeks of the restart.
High-flying teenagers to return to bench
Injuries to first team players, forced many premier league clubs to use teenagers before the suspension of matches in which most of them have return the favour with impressive performances. Players like Bukayo Saka of Arsenal, Billy Gilmour of Chelsea top the list.
However, most of these players are likely to be out of the teams due to the return of regular players from injuries.
Red-hot Manchester United
The Manchester club are in top form before the suspension of matches with new signing Bruno Fernandes proving decisive in all his outings for the club.
Better news arrived for the Red Devils ahead of the restart with Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford back in full training and ready to go whenever called upon, it could spark something great for United considering the form of all their midfield players.
Pogba and Fernandes in midfield will be superb and will prove too much of a handful for opponents to contain.
Reality awaits Arteta
Arsenal appointed Mikel Arteta towards the ending of last calendar year and things have been fairly good to the former gunners Midfielder with just one loss in nine league matches.
The former Everton man gets his first real test when Arsenal faces Manchester City in one of the opening matches of the restart. The result against Manchester City and other big teams like Liverpool, Tottenham and Leicester City will be crucial in knowing whether the Spaniard is really getting it right at the Emirates.
New signings will be at club but will not play a part
Questions have been raised as to whether players signed from concluded or canceled leagues can play for teams when their current contracts due at their previous club with teams like Chelsea and Arsenal interested in getting a decision to field Hakimi Ziyech and William Saliba respectively.
However, such players can join their new teams but will not be playing any part in the current campaign.
