The Premier League has been on hold since mid-March due to the coronaviruspandemic, with each club yet to play nine or 10 matches – but now we have a start date.
Premier League returns today Wednesday June 17, starting with the two ‘catch-up’ matches – Manchester City vs Arsenal and Aston Villa vs Sheffield United.
In possession of a 25-point lead at the top of the table, Liverpool are nailed on to be crowned champions, but there is plenty to play for with European qualification spots up for grabs and a host of teams battling to avoid relegation.
Wednesday, June 17
Aston Villa v Sheffield United – 6pm SKY
- Man City vs Arsenal – 8.15pm SKY
Friday, June 19
- Norwich v Southampton 6pm Sky Pick FREE TO AIR
- Tottenham v Manchester United – 8.15pm SKY
Saturday, June 20
- Watford v Leicester 12.30pm BT
- Brighton v Arsenal 3pm BT
- West Ham v Wolves 5.30pm SKY
- Bournemouth v Crystal Palace 7.45pm BBC – FREE TO AIR
Sunday, June 21
- Newcastle v Sheffield United 2pm Sky Pick FREE TO AIR
- Aston Villa v Chelsea 4.15pm SKY
- Everton v Liverpool 7pm Sky Pick FREE TO AIR
Monday, June 22
- Manchester City v Burnley 8pm SKY
Tuesday, June 23
- Leicester v Brighton 6pm SKY
- Tottenham v West Ham 8.15pm SKY
Wednesday, June 24
- Manchester United v Sheffield United 6pm Sky Pick FREE TO AIR
- Newcastle v Aston Villa 6pm BT
- Wolves v Bournemouth 8.15pm BT
- Norwich v Everton 6pm BBC – FREE TO AIR
- Liverpool v Crystal Palace 8.15pm SKY
League table
What new measures have been put in place?All matches behind closed doors, with number of key people allowed inside the stadium limited to 300.Stadiums divided into three zones – red (includes pitch and technical areas), amber (stands) and green (stand concourses) – with restrictions on who is allowed to enter each.Teams able to make five substitutions,rather than three, in each match and able to name nine substitutes instead of the usual seven.Staggered entry on to pitch for players and staff and no handshakes before kick-off. Deep cleaning of corner flags, goalposts, substitution boards and match balls before and after each fixture.Extra disinfection, such as of the substitution board after it is used, likely during matches and at half-time.Medical protocols stipulate how squads and coaching staff must travel to and from games, observing social distancing.Post-match broadcast interviews will take place pitchside with press conferences conducted virtually.VAR will continue to be in operation.How did we leave things?
Before the suspension of play in the Premier League, Liverpool were hurtling towards their first top-flight title in 30 years.
The league will restart with the Reds 25 points clear at the top and potentially one win away from confirming their triumph.
If Manchester City lose their game in hand – against Arsenal on Wednesday – Jurgen Klopp’s side will seal the title with victory in the Merseyside derby at Everton on Sunday.
The race for a top-four spot is less of a formality.
City’s two-year ban from European competition (appeal pending) means fifth place will be enough for a Champions League spot.
Liverpool, Leicester, Chelsea and Manchester United are currently occupying the qualification places, but the likes of Wolves, Sheffield United, Tottenham and Arsenal will all begin again with a place in Europe’s top competition as their aim.
Down at the bottom, six clubs are seemingly battling it out to avoid the drop.
Bottom club Norwich are six points adrift on 21 points. Aston Villa and Bournemouth are the two clubs above them but are part of a group of five clubs, along with Watford, West Ham and Brighton, separated by just four points.