The Premiership Returns on Wed 17 Jun

If any crew was relieved to finally see a date carved in stone, it'd be the dudes of Anfield and their adoring legions.

They've got a record-making season to formalize.

Not to mention their first top-tier league title since 1990. The Premiership hadn't even been created yet.

It's mind-blowing to think that these legendary Reds have never claimed a championship in the globe's most-watched league, but with two more victories, that's finally about to change.

 

Before absolutely zero fans and a worldwide broadcast audience that'll surely dwarf those viewing the action in Belarus, the stage lights will come on in the designated midweek to feature the four clubs with a game in hand:

• Manchester City vs Arsenal, and
• Aston Villa vs Sheffield United

They'll be the openers to a six-week schedule where full slates of Wednesday matches will be commonplace in addition to the usual fare of weekend fixtures. In all, 92 matches will be squeezed into that window.

 

As long as the grim reaper doesn't expand his appearances, that is.

While the plan is for sides playing in their home stadiums, authorities reserve the right to move any match to a neutral stadium if they feel the potential of milling crowds could create a health breach.

It's also assumed the special rules for this season FIFA announced will be used:

• Five substitutes during the first 90 minutes, while keeping
• Three stoppages per match to make them, with
• One more substitute being available for playoff knockout games that go into extra time.

 

Nine matches remain for each side after Wed 17 Jul, and the battle for spots in Europe next season looks to be heated.

Four Champions League spots are up for grabs -- the Pool and Manchester United sitting pretty -- as well as two Europa League berths.

Unless Burnley and/or Crystal Palace play outta their minds -- both are sitting on 39 points -- here's how the main contenders are positioned for the re-start:

 

The FA Cup winner -- unless it's a side that qualifies for the Champions League -- will go into the Europa Cup group stage; the quarters will be held on Sat 27 Jun.

 

The existential dogfight, of course, is at the other end of the table:

 

Even those matches will be televised in all their Sturm und Drang:

 

The league's plan is to wrap up by Sat 1 Aug. All players and staff will be tested twice a week. They've now progressed from small-group training to full-contact sessions.

Out of 2,752 Covid-19 tests given to Premiership players and staff to date, there have been a total of 12 positive results. That unlucky dozen recovered quickly, so if the stats can stay that way, the season's balance should be manageable.

It's subject to all things considered, of course, like beating the predicted second wave and likely living like monks to avoid it, which may be the most challenging part of all.