This archive report was first published on 16 June 2020.
Premier League Returns After Three-Month Absence ¶
On Wednesday, the Premier League football returns after a three-month coronavirus-enforced absence. The league was suspended in March, and Liverpool was 25 points clear of Manchester City, within touching distance of becoming English champions for the first time since 1990.
According to AFP Sport, two more wins would make it mathematically impossible for City to catch Liverpool. However, the Reds could triumph by winning their first game, at Merseyside neighbors Everton on Sunday, if City lose at home to Arsenal on Wednesday.
Additionally, Jurgen Klopp's men can break two of City's most cherished records. They need 19 points from the remaining 27 to beat the Manchester club's total of 100 points from the 2017/18 season, and they could also better City's record title-winning margin of 19 points from the same campaign.
However, the battle for top-four spots could be extended to include fifth place. Liverpool are assured of their place in the Champions League, and the other qualifying berths are currently occupied by Manchester City, Leicester, and Chelsea. But as things stand, City cannot compete in Europe's top club competition for the next two seasons after being banned for financial fair play breaches.
Manchester United currently occupy the fifth position, but Wolves and Sheffield United are both just two points behind Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team. Eighth-placed Tottenham and Arsenal, one spot lower, will also fancy their chances of finishing fifth with a late charge.
Furthermore, the battle to avoid the drop is intense, with Norwich, Aston Villa, and Bournemouth occupying the bottom three places in the Premier League. However, all three teams will harbour hopes they can escape the drop.
A clutch of top players will be raring to go after lengthy spells on the sidelines. England striker Harry Kane is hungry for a return, and Spurs team-mate Son Heung-min will also be able to feature after recovering from a broken arm. Manchester United pair Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford should also feature.
