The English Premier League will resume on Wednesday, June 17, as the final nine matchdays of the campaign will be played out. The division still has a total of 92 matches to play and fans are growing with excitement over its return. Clubs are already playing practice matches versus other teams around England as preparations for the resumption of the season have been stepped up. Supporters will see a huge fixture between Manchester City and Arsenal on the league’s first night back. Bettors looking for the best casino games before watching the next round of Premier League games can visit nihonlinecasino to play the latest table games and slots.
Liverpool are just six points away from winning their first league title since 1989-90. If Arsenal are able to take points off of Manchester City on the division’s first night back, the points needed by Liverpool will be reduced. Jurgen Klopp’s team could win the title in their first match after the break against Everton. They will need help from Arsenal to do it, however.
Preparations for the return
Teams will play home and away but the Premier League have stated they may shift to neutral venues if needed. For now, matches will take place in home teams’ stadiums. All 92 home matches will be played behind closed doors with each game shown live on television in the United Kingdom. The Premier League’ television partners around the globe will show games as well with many networks airing all 92 games.
Game start times will be staggered allowing for maximum viewing for fans. Friday night games will start at 8pm UK time while Saturday fixtures kick off at 12.30pm, 3pm, 5.30pm, and 8pm. Fixtures played on Sundays will start at 12pm, 2pm, 4.30pm, and 7pm. Monday night Premier League matches will begin at 8pm and Tuesday and Wednesday fixtures will kick off at either 6pm or 8pm. Dates and times for all fixtures will be confirmed in the lead up to each match.
Are the teams ready?
By the time the Premier League resume, it will have been over three months since it went on hiatus. On May 19, clubs began to train once more with small-group sessions taking place. As the weeks progressed, teams moved to larger group training sessions and with a week to go until the restart, clubs have begun holding behind-closed-doors practice matches.
Chelsea and Manchester United both held inter-squad practice matches, while Arsenal, played EFL Championship club Charlton Athletic in a practice game. The Gunners thrashed the EFL Championship relegation-threatened club, 6-0.
Manchester United’s practice match was rather unique and it wasn’t due to Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba playing after recovering from injury. The club’s players arrived at Old Trafford in full kit after driving from home to reduce contact with others and eliminate the use of dressing rooms.
The Premier League will be the third of the major European football leagues to return. The Bundesliga restarted on May 16 and La Liga on June 11. Serie A is expected to return on June 20, but there is still doubt over the league’s resumption.