Top Battle

It's not much to contend with anymore. Liverpool have a 25-point lead down to Manchester City with nine games left to play and have the opportunity to secure the title in two rounds - the first in 30 years.

However, the celebration fails. Due to public restrictions and the current pandemic, no parade will be implemented when the champion is to be crowned. Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp hints that the celebration will be held at a later date in the event of a title win.

The fight for the European places

Four Champions League tickets are at stake. Apart from Liverpool, Manchester City (57 points), Leicester City (53 points) and Chelsea (48 points) are currently holding hands. Manchester United stand on the Europa League standings with their 45 points, but are chased by Wolverhampton Wanderers and newcomer Sheffield United who both have 43 points.

audiences

No supporters may be in place, but with the help of recorded audience sounds, cardboard figures and fans on TV screens, the league hopes to be able to invite the players to some kind of atmosphere.

security

The Premier League has introduced a strict regulatory framework with regular tests for covid-19. 300 authorized persons will be allowed in the stadiums and in changing rooms, match balls, goal cages and corner flags will be disinfected at regular intervals. Players and leaders on the bench must have mouthguards and players on the pitch should avoid spotting as much as possible.

The celebration will also look different. As in other leagues, players are encouraged to keep their distance during goalkeeping.

The imminent threat

By mid-July, Manchester City will find out if the club is being suspended from European football or not. The case is currently at the sports arbitration court, Cas. The European Football Association (Uefa) decided in February that City should be suspended from the European cups for two years and that the club is sentenced to pay just over SEK 300 million for violating the financial rules.

Concern

Several players have expressed concern about the spread of infection in connection with the restart, including City star duo Sergio Agüero and Raheem Sterling. But the one who has been most clear in his criticism may be Danny Rose, loaned from Tottenham to Newcastle.

"People think we should go back to playing football, like we are lab mice or guinea pigs," he says.

New rules

The Premier League, like other leagues, faces five exchanges as part of protecting players as matches close tightly in packed game schedules. During the rest of the season, the PL clubs will also allow nine substitutes per team, instead of seven which is the normal one.

TV

The matches are broadcast through Viasat's channels and on the streaming service Viaplay.

As for Britain, the BBC will show Premier League football for the first time ever. The public service company will broadcast four matches for free, while Sky Sports will broadcast another 25 matches. The British government has been anxious to get through the decision to get supporters to stay home.

complimenting

All league matches in the first round should start with a silent minute for the pandemic victim. More than 41,000 people have died from the virus in the UK and 297,000 have been confirmed to be infected.

Tribute 2.0

Prior to the restart round, the last names on the players' backs have been replaced with the words "Black Lives Matter". The gesture is in support of the activist movement's work against racism and police violence in the United States.

First matches

Wednesday: Aston Villa – Sheffield United (19.00), Manchester City – Arsenal (21.15), Friday: Norwich City – Southampton (19.00), Tottenham Hotspur – Manchester United (21.15), Saturday: Watford – Leicester City (13.30), Brighton & Hove Albion – Arsenal (16.00), West Ham – Wolverhampton (18.30), AFC Bournmouth – Crystal Palace (20.45), Sunday: Newcastle United – Sheffield United (15.00), Aston Villa – Chelsea (17.15), Everton – Liverpool (20.00) .

Tight game schedule

It remains between nine and ten rounds. The league is scheduled to end on July 26, resulting in an intensive game schedule where 92 games will be squeezed in six weeks .;

The ladies

While the men are resuming the game, it is finished in the Women's Super League. Chelsea, with Swedes Magdalena Eriksson and Jonna Andersson at the forefront, were one point behind leading Manchester City, but were nevertheless named champions when they had a match less played and better goal difference.

CLIP: Raheem Sterling: "We must be able to guarantee everyone's safety"

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