It feels like a while ago when we last saw live sport on our television screens, but that all changed when the premier league announced in May about its plans to continue the 2019-2020 season on June 17 behind closed doors.
Football fans like myself could not be more excited. For months, we have missed the exhilarating highs and the frustrating lows from our respective teams. The restart gives us a chance to wrap up a season, where many teams still have a lot to play for in the league’s final nine games.
Of course, if you are a Liverpool fan, the league is pretty much wrapped up and sealed with your name on the trophy; however, if you are a team like Manchester United, who still currently trail behind the Chelsea in the quest of achieving champions league football, then these last few games may well indeed prove to be very decisive. The race for top 4 heats up as you have Leicester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Sheffield United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Tottenham Hotspurs fighting for a place in Europe’s prestigious competition, The UEFA Champions League.
Currently, Leicester City and Chelsea occupy the 3 rd and 4 th spot; however, the final games to the end of the season prove to be quite tricky and might lead to both respective teams dropping points, which could be colossal to their season and their quest to achieving Champions League football.
For Manchester United, they have had their worst start to a premier league season in 30 years and are on course to finish the season with their lowest point tally; however, as luck may have it, they still find themselves in the hunt for a place in the Champions League next season.
The signing of Bruno Fernandes and the return of the injured Paul Pogba, will give the red devils a boost in the final nine games. In addition, Manchester United have favorable fixtures, where they could pick up points and make up ground in their conquest for top 4. Sheffield United, recently promoted from championship, have had a remarkable season. The sheer coaching from Chris Wilder and his men have the blades in 7 th place and they find themselves in the mix to potentially qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history.
Although, they too with Chelsea and Leicester City have difficult games ahead that could see their European aspirations fizzle out fast. Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) have also had a good season under the Portuguese manager, Nunu Espirito Santos, as he looks to take his team to the top 4. Last season, Santos and his men accomplished a milestone by finishing 7 th and qualifying for UEFA Europa League competition. Tottenham Hotspurs have had their worst season in about 5 years.
Their former Argentine manager, Mauricio Pochettino, was sacked after a run of bad results that left them in 14 th place as at November 2019 and the recent appointment of former Manchester United and Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, has not been better either. Currently, Spurs are winless in the last 6 games in all competitions and this has been down to the injury of key players before the lockdown such as Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son and their recent signing from PSV Eindhoven in Holland, Steven Bergwijn. Jose and Spurs have tough fixtures ahead as they travel to the Emirates to face their woeful performing neighbors, Arsenal, as well as the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City.
Spurs will have to hope for positive turnouts from these next fixtures to secure a slot in next year’s UEFA Champions League. At the bottom of table, the fight for survival continues. Norwich, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, West Ham, Watford and to a certain degree, Brighton & Hove Albion, are all fighting for survival in the premier league.
Currently, Norwich are rooted to the bottom with 21 points and they face the risk of returning to the championship following their recent promotion into the league this season.
Just two points separate Aston Villa, Bournemouth, West Ham & Watford, which highlights how tight the relegation battle is at the bottom. Once thing is for certain, the premier league’s 2019-2020 season would have a grand stand finish as the players return to the pitch to show off their impressive skills. Grab your popcorn folks because we are in for a treat.
