Premier League Prediction Thread (EPL)

[BITCOIN4X]

Arsenal were pretty strict about their player's fitness when this pandemic started getting some serious attention. I recall a news hovering that Arteta keeping tabs on his players fitness during the lockdown. Good that they are first PL team to start some activity in their training grounds but will it be allowed with things so worse out there with the pandemic?

Pandemic is still a terrible scourge for everyone even for the players and staff of a club. But maintaining fitness is a very important thing for every player to do despite having to get strict rules. Each player will not be allowed to do the exercise as usual and they must do it separately and that is a good effort made by the fitness staff for the players.

I think every player will do a closed training session so they will be free to do it without thinking about a pandemic. Is this a sign that the Premier League will resume soon? Hoping

[coinlocket$]

Arsenal were pretty strict about their player's fitness when this pandemic started getting some serious attention. I recall a news hovering that Arteta keeping tabs on his players fitness during the lockdown. Good that they are first PL team to start some activity in their training grounds but will it be allowed with things so worse out there with the pandemic?

Keep in mind mine wasn't an official information was only a rumor for a guy who got a good infomation in the recent past.
They rumor may be no happens.

[SFR10]

I wonder how Arsenal got this decision when there is still not any stability in the treatment of COVID-19 in the UK.

In addition to the link @AakZaki provided, the following things seem to be the reason behind their strange decision:
^{- It's a good thing that it's not mandatory but I don't think they'll follow the guidelines after getting back home.}

The move comes two days after the club spoke to all their players after Alexandre Lacazette, David Luiz, Nicolas Pepe and Granit Xhaka were pictured breaking social distancing guidelines.

Lacazette was too close to someone valeting his car, while Luiz and Xhaka were having a kickabout in a park.

Pepe was seen playing football with some friends.

The quartet, along with the rest of the Gunners squad, were reminded of their responsibilities.

Several first-team stars have been caught breaching government guidelines to either train or play football, including Alexandre Lacazette, David Luiz, Nicolas Pepe and Granit Xhaka.

In addition, many players have been stopped while running by fans requesting selfies, putting them in breach of social distancing rules.

It is thought that by reopening the facility, Arsenal can give their players a safe place to train while adhering to the rules and working on their game in a safe way.

It is also understood that all individuals will maintain social distancing guidelines, and only five players at any one time will be at the training ground, though they will be working individually at allocated time slots.

These are not mandatory, and players can opt to continue to train from home if they wish.

Bad news for both Manchester fans:

• Manchester United and Man City Premier League TV games might not be free-to-air after all

[LFC_Bitcoin]

^^

I don’t think the games (behind closed doors) will be free on TV & why should they be? Sky & BT have already paid for the coverage & have existing contracts with the PL.

[buwaytress]

I think they should be glad though, of course they have a shot at the title, but I really don't think they would have beat Ajax to it. However, would they have preferred Ajax declared as winners despite being on the same points ? Or were they hoping for the possibilities of being declared as Co-winners

Neither do I, but stranger things have happened, and Ajax have been really shaky since their high of last season's Europe, specially after losing 2 of their brightest stars. That said, Alkmaar have an even shallower squad and it certainly lacked firepower (hence the goal difference) but who doesn't want a shout at the title?

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

I think they should be glad though, of course they have a shot at the title, but I really don't think they would have beat Ajax to it. However, would they have preferred Ajax declared as winners despite being on the same points ? Or were they hoping for the possibilities of being declared as Co-winners

Still though, I think Ajax should have been declared champions,  lets assume all 38 games has been played and the table still stand as it currently did before the season got voided, which team would had been declared champions? Ajax of course or unless there's some sort of criteria they use that I'm not aware of as I don't follow their league neither have I watched any match from the league.

I just think Ajax deserve to be crown champions, for them to be at the top of the league irrespective of having same point with their challenger (having played equal matches) then they most be leading by goal difference. If I'm not mistaking, goal difference is quite enough to win a title.

PS: just confirmed, Ajax had a goal difference of 45goals while AZ Alkmaar had 37 goals, that's 8goal difference.

[cygan]

After a meeting between the clubs on April 17, it was announced that the Premier League “will only restart when medical guidance allows”. The situation is evolving day-by-day and the league did not offer a deadline by which play must resume. In general, a return is considered for June 8. In the EFL leagues from the Championship downwards, a decision has not been made yet.

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/news/view?id=359293

[$crypto$]

They will also practice by following the social distancing rules issued by the British Government. The players will also do training individually and practice in turns, so there are no first-team players training at the same time.

Training with social distance might be difficult for them because training with individuals is still less than optimal maybe they will just warm up to maintain their fitness during this pandemic, although strict rules during the pandemic remain Arsenal wants to keep players in fitness so that the training will continue on Sunday front.

While the English Premier League is also not certain when it will resume since the postponement was announced on March 13.

It is still a long time to announce that the EPL has started again because it requires the stability of the region to be safe for the players and fans, but rumors are also circulating behind closed doors with strict rules.

[hilariousetc]

^^

I don’t think the games (behind closed doors) will be free on TV & why should they be? Sky & BT have already paid for the coverage & have existing contracts with the PL.

They have contracts that the games need to be played within a certain time frame. If that passes then then contracts could become null and void unless Sky/BT don't mind or can come to some sort of arrangement. I would be surprised if they became free to air though. Surely they'll sell the rights to someone rather than give them away for free. Now would be a good time for the PL to do its own streaming service and show them on there free or paid.

They will also practice by following the social distancing rules issued by the British Government. The players will also do training individually and practice in turns, so there are no first-team players training at the same time.

Training with social distance might be difficult for them because training with individuals is still less than optimal maybe they will just warm up to maintain their fitness during this pandemic, although strict rules during the pandemic remain Arsenal wants to keep players in fitness so that the training will continue on Sunday front.

While the English Premier League is also not certain when it will resume since the postponement was announced on March 13.

It is still a long time to announce that the EPL has started again because it requires the stability of the region to be safe for the players and fans, but rumors are also circulating behind closed doors with strict rules.

Training together a sa team whilst social distancing will be nigh on impossible and pointless. Players should just be keeping themselves fit at home until the time comes when this has blown over and they resume the season again. They don't really need to train as a team until that happens just like they don't on the off season or any other breaks.

[Daniel91]

It seems that after this crisis nothing will be the same, even for the English league.
Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward says speculation about transfers for "hundreds of millions of pounds this summer" is ignoring the "realities that face the sport" because of the coronavirus pandemic.  Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52418826
There has been speculation that Manchester is interested in Tottenham striker Harry Kane but they seem to have given up.
Obviously we won't be able to return to normality until spectators finally return to the stadiums.

Yeah there might be very few transfers this summer due to the pandemic & restrictions on travel. Maybe the transfer window could run for from September to November or something to give clubs a chance to bring in players. Even then though due to the financial hit of covid19 there might not be the same volume of deals as usual.

I have a feeling that with a few exceptions, such as maybe Paris SG and Real, We will no longer look at cases where players are sold or bought for big money.
Due to this crisis everyone's income will fall, particular from the viewers and many clubs will have to reduce significantly all costs, especially on player salaries.

[$crypto$]

Training together a sa team whilst social distancing will be nigh on impossible and pointless. Players should just be keeping themselves fit at home until the time comes when this has blown over and they resume the season again. They don't really need to train as a team until that happens just like they don't on the off season or any other breaks.

Maybe that is what keeps the players' fitness at a social distance, even though it is not useful, but the team applies it to better the stability of the players so that it will not be more rigid when the season will run.
Whatever it is that the players do at home for training is better than nothing, it will make the player's stamina less stable and therefore in this difficult time of the pandemic anything can be done without doing together.

Maybe they will consider it as a holiday season with family and then practice with it.

[FanEagle]

The channels are going to make that money one way or another, there is no way they are not going to get anything at all.

Either they will have a chance to air them, and if given the rights they will definitely want to air it, think about a regular game where barely anyone watches on a regular life, and think about a game right now, if the worst teams at premier league plays a game right now and we can watch it, there will basically be a record amount of viewers because we are all stuck at home and quite bored as well.

The other option is contract is voided and there will be a penalty paid to them for not being able to air all the games, sure insurance will cover most of it but channels are making a profit either way. Teams wouldn't want to pay a penalty probably and agree to let them air it even if the contract time is over.

[Captain Corporate]

 Training with others using social distancing is still quite valuable. There are a lot of training that involves not getting close to each other at all. For starters you are practicing shooting with a player who is at premier league player and a goalkeeper who is a premier league player, those two can't just go at some home and practice, with the coaches around as well that shooting challange helps both of those, considering at least 10-20 good shooters will be there the goalkeeper is getting practice they can't find anywhere else. Plus you could have passing, you could have crossing, you could have dribbling. You are getting all of these while you are also with coaches who are best in the world, physios who are best in the world and even getting a lunch break maybe with million dollar chefs and nutritionist, so basically all around you are getting best of everything.

 Is that enough? Surely not, nothing would make you be ready like a real game, thats why teams plays friendlies before the seasons start, even if you play a team 10 levels worse than you, nothing beats a real game, not even 11vs11 practice matches, yet right now we can't have anything like that so social distancing trainings are still better than just staying at home or working out alone or working out with family and friends, this is at least a bit better.

[DeathAngel]

Good news, kind of -

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/27/premier-league-to-meet-as-government-backs-return-as-soon-as-possible

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

Is that enough? Surely not, nothing would make you be ready like a real game, thats why teams plays friendlies before the seasons start, even if you play a team 10 levels worse than you, nothing beats a real game, not even 11vs11 practice matches, yet right now we can't have anything like that so social distancing trainings are still better than just staying at home or working out alone or working out with family and friends, this is at least a bit better.

Solution; sanitised social distancing training where the shooters (players) will have to sanitize the ball before kicking and the goal keepers sanitize their gloves after catching the ball lol. The whole idea of social distancing is to prevent the spread of the virus, therefore you don't use the excuse of you wanting to keep your team in shape to expose your players (their family members and others they'll come in contact with after they must have finished training for the day) to risk.

Players are encouraged to train indoors and that's enough to keep them in shape and probably before the season resume properly, every/most players will return back to reunite with their teammate and they'll do some practice training in preparation for the upcoming matches.

[Strongkored]

Good news, kind of -

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/27/premier-league-to-meet-as-government-backs-return-as-soon-as-possible

Good news for football lovers, but if read the whole article it's all still under discussion so that when the league starts not ignoring health rules, means not put the players and official in risk also the spectators (if play with spectators)
Players have to start preparing themselves because they have a long time to rest and if they don't prepare properly they will greatly affect their appearance.

[Naida_BR]

^^

I don’t think the games (behind closed doors) will be free on TV & why should they be? Sky & BT have already paid for the coverage & have existing contracts with the PL.

So true. There is not any reason to broadcast them for free as there are existing contracts signed.
And after all, TV channels and teams want the EPL to start again in order to earn money from that. It is about getting money - as it is an industry - it is not about entertaining people for free.

[hilariousetc]

Good news, kind of -

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/27/premier-league-to-meet-as-government-backs-return-as-soon-as-possible

June seems very optimistic to me. I guess it all depends on when the government says it's ok for sports to resume but I can't see that on the horizon anytime soon.

^^

I don’t think the games (behind closed doors) will be free on TV & why should they be? Sky & BT have already paid for the coverage & have existing contracts with the PL.

So true. There is not any reason to broadcast them for free as there are existing contracts signed.
And after all, TV channels and teams want the EPL to start again in order to earn money from that. It is about getting money - as it is an industry - it is not about entertaining people for free.

On further reading what I think they mean is that all the games that wouldn't have been shown on TV will be shown free to air and likely Sky and BT will keep their TV rights for the games they were already allocated (assuming they're ok with that). Because the games will likely be behind closed doors it makes sense to show them on TV so at least fans can watch them. Since no tickets will be sold they could probably get away with showing the 3'o clock games as well since showing them on TV obviously wouldn't effect ticket sales given the circumstances. I would be surprised if they do show them free to air though and not sell the rights to someone, though maybe it would be good for the nation and promo for the sport if everyone could watch the matches.

[arallmuus]

Good news, kind of -

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/27/premier-league-to-meet-as-government-backs-return-as-soon-as-possible

June seems very optimistic to me. I guess it all depends on when the government says it's ok for sports to resume but I can't see that on the horizon anytime soon.

It was nothing more than a sugar talk to the fans. It was merely there to keep the fans to hope more for the return and also as well as to keep the atmosphere for premier league alive. Alot of expert predict that the whole pandemic could end on June/July but to get back everything to where it was could take back to almost 6 months

[hd49728]

Good news, kind of -

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/27/premier-league-to-meet-as-government-backs-return-as-soon-as-possible

Such kind of news give us optimistic feeling and lots of hope but the reality is the virus has still been here, around us, in any nation, and government has to very slowly and gradually open different part of economy and other social activities. Football industry contributes huge money for economy and top leagues should be finished but to say they will be resumes too soon, I don't hope so.

Eventually, we might see top leagues return but maybe 2 or 3 months later but it will be not bad if they return sooner.