On Thursday, May 28th, the Premier League confirmed that the 2019/20 season will resume on Wednesday, June 17th after a near-three month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As football and sport fans worldwide rejoice at the return of the most lucrative and entertaining league in world football, we at Grosvenor Sport breakdown the 14 biggest fixtures remaining in the schedule with loads still to play for from relegation to European qualification.
Matchweek 30
Tottenham vs. Manchester United
In the first weekend of Premier League fixtures when it returns in June, the headline match takes place at the new White Hart Lane as Tottenham welcome Manchester United to North London. Spurs are currently sat in eighth place, sit four points behind Manchester United in fifth and can’t afford many more slip ups in their bid to retain European football for next season. It also sees Jose Mourinho take on his former employers. It will prove to be a feisty affair we’re sure.
Matchweek 30
Everton vs. Liverpool
While Liverpool cannot mathematically secure the title with a win over their Merseyside rivals, Jurgen Klopp’s side can move to within one result of a maiden Premier League crown if they take home all three points. One of six Premier League games that will be played behind closed doors, any Merseyside derby is well worth tuning in for.
Matchweek 31
Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace
It’s plain and simple: two more wins secure Liverpool their first Premier League title. Should they beat local rivals Everton, the opportunity to secure that long-awaited league title will come against Crystal Palace the following week. While all games are behind-closed-doors, any match where Liverpool could clinch the title will also be played at a neutral venue. The Reds’ 30-year wait is nearly over.
Matchweek 32
West Ham vs. Chelsea
In a game that has massive implications at both ends of the table, the London derby between West Ham and Chelsea will have a lot riding on it. The Hammers are only outside of the relegation zone on goal difference as things stand and will have faced European-chasing Wolves and Tottenham in their first two games back prior to the visit of Chelsea, who themselves currently occupy fourth and the final Champions League qualification spot, but have a host of teams within striking distance of them.
Matchweek 33
Norwich vs. Brighton
In a true relegation six-pointer, who knows how precarious the positions that Norwich and Brighton will find themselves in another three games from now. As it stands, Norwich prop up the Premier League table and are six points from safety, while Brighton are just two points above the relegation zone and would have faced both Arsenal and Manchester United prior to their trip to Carrow Road.
Matchweek 33
Wolves vs. Arsenal
Two of the cluster of teams in the running to qualify for the Europa League next season, the match between Wolves and Arsenal could knock one of them out of the running completely. Right now, Wolves have the edge as they sit in sixth place, three points ahead of ninth-placed Arsenal. The Gunners do have a game in hand, however, but it is the opening game of the resumed season against Manchester City.
Matchweek 34
Watford vs. Norwich
Back-to-back six pointers for Norwich as they follow up the visit of Brighton with a trip to London to take on Watford. The Hornets are one of three teams grouped on 27 points near the bottom, and sit outside the relegation zone ahead of Bournemouth on goal difference. While we can’t predict how the fixtures will go prior to this clash, both teams can look ahead now and single out this game as a must-win.
Matchweek 35
Norwich vs. West Ham
The run-in is where teams can save themselves from relegation and the meeting between Norwich and West Ham with four games to go in the season will go a long way towards deciding which of them will beat the drop. Rock-bottom Norwich will hope that they have closed the current six-point gap on the Hammers by the time they meet at Carrow Road, while 16th-placed West Ham are at risk of slipping into the bottom three with a tricky start to the renewed season.
Matchweek 35
Sheffield United vs. Chelsea
As the race to secure European football hots up, who knows what the significance will be of the game between Sheffield United and Chelsea, given Manchester City’s potential two-year ban from all UEFA competitions. The Blades currently sit in seventh place, only behind Wolves above them by goal difference, and sit five points back of Chelsea who occupy a Champions League qualification place as we stand.
Matchweek 35
Tottenham vs. Arsenal
Always one of the most-anticipated fixtures of the Premier League season, the North London Derby could have a lot riding on it. Tottenham and Arsenal six eighth and ninth respectively, but both are just one result away from catching Wolves in sixth for a place in the Europa League next season, with faint hopes of Champions League qualification not lost yet either. Their clash at the new White Hart Lane could propel the winners into Europa League consideration and resign the others to a season without European football.
Matchweek 36
Leicester vs. Sheffield United
As the race to secure European football enters its final weeks, two of the biggest success stories of this Premier League season square off at the King Power Stadium with potentially Champions League and Europa League places on the line. Leicester currently sit third, but are eight points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United and look long odds to let a Champions League berth slip through their fingers, while seventh-placed Sheffield United will be looking to jump Wolves and Chelsea to guarantee themselves Europa League football next season.
Matchweek 36
West Ham vs. Watford
The final weeks of the season see so many teams in the bottom six square off against each other in their bids for Premier League survival. One of the biggest clashes come at the London Stadium when Watford visit West Ham. Both teams currently sit outside the relegation zone on goal difference over Bournemouth but could find themselves in desperate need of a win come this fixture. As teams chase the famous 40-point mark synonymous with Premier League safety, they’ll be circling this fixture as one they will look to take all three points from.
Matchweek 38
West Ham vs. Aston Villa
The battle for survival will likely go down to the final day and both West Ham and Aston Villa are likely to find themselves playing to avoid the drop at the London Stadium. 19th-placed Villa are two points back from the Hammers and safety as we stand – it could be winner takes all on the final day.
Matchweek 38
Leicester vs. Manchester United
As the Premier League enters its final week, there’s likely to be so much left to be decided, namely who qualifies for next season’s Champions League and Europa League. Both Leicester and Manchester United will be hoping that they find away into Europe’s premier club competition. Fifth-placed United will have hoped to have closed the three-point gap on Chelsea above them prior to this clash, while Leicester in third will be hoping they’re not looking over the shoulders.
Which of these games are you looking forward to the most, and are there any other big Premier League clashes that you think we’ve missed out from this list? Let us know in the comments below!
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