Players and Matches to focus on as Premier League Returns

Finally after three months, the English top-flight season will resume on Wednesday, following the suspension of football due to the coronavirus pandemic in mid-March.

Manchester City are back in Premier League action on Wednesday against Arsenal at Etihad stadium, less than a month after they first returned to the training ground.

City’s tactician Pep Guardiola who has previously complained how much is expected of footballers, compared the situation in England to Germany and Spain where teams had longer to train together and build their fitness back up before being asked to play competitive fixtures again.

The team appear to be in decent shape heading into the match with Arsenal – however, not only does Guardiola not know what their performance level will be on the night but he predicts that trouble may lie ahead in subsequent games; City are also down to play Burnley, Chelsea, Newcastle and Liverpool in the next 16 days.“They came back really well so we don’t have any complaints. But the way we are right now, I think like other clubs, is we don’t know,” said the coach.

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta who was an assistant coach under Guardiola Mikel Arteta, paid tribute to City manager, Pep Guardiola.described him as a phenomenal manager, he further stated that Guardiola has an influence On his coaching career and personal life.

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The pressure is all on Tottenham as they prepare to host Manchester United in the Premier League later this week.

Coach Jose Mourinho has had three months to deliberate his tactical approach for the clash, and he knows nothing less than a win will do against his former side on Friday night.

Much of the pre-match build-up has been surrounding the United midfield selection with Paul Pogba now back in contention, but it is former Tottenham target Bruno Fernandes who perhaps possesses the most fascinating story line heading into the game.The Portuguese midfielder could quite have easily joined Tottenham last summer had they matched Sporting Lisbon’s asking price, but a bid was rejected because of the complicated add-on fees proposed. The rest as they say, is history.

After a three-month break many critics will be questioning whether or not Fernandes is the real deal, and he still has a lot to prove if he is to justify much of the hype which has surrounded him since his arrival in English football.Everton’s manager Carlo Ancelotti believes Andre Gomes will be fit for Everton’s clash with Liverpool on Sunday behind-closed-doors at Goodison Park as they restart their Premier League season.

Gomes picked up a minor knock in training early last week which cast doubt over his chances of being involved.But Ancelotti is optimistic the Portuguese midfielder will be ready, although Yerry Mina and Fabian Delph are only close to a return to training.

Theo Walcott is definitely out as he is facing a month on the sidelines following abdominal surgery.

“Andre Gomes is training with the team so he is not going to have a problem for Sunday.” Ancelotti said.

And the Reds boss Jurgen Klop has urged supporters to stay at home as his players aim to end the club’s 30-year championship drought.

The European and world champions are 25 points clear at the Premier League summit and need only two more wins from their remaining nine games to clinch the title.