Guide to the Premier League’s return: Players, teams and storyline to watch

The Premier League returns this week after a three-month coronavirus hiatus. Liverpool are set to win their first title in 30 years but there’s still plenty to watch over the final weeks.

The self-proclaimed ‘Best League In The World’ is back. Indeed, the 2019-20 Premier League season will resume this week after a three-month hiatus due to the global coronavirus pandemic and there’s a lot of unfinished business to be resolved. Liverpool are all but certain to finally cross the finishing line, lifting their first title in three decades, but there is still a great level of intrigue elsewhere.

From the race to finish in the top four to the scrap to avoid relegation, there is plenty to draw the gaze of the soccer world. Here are a few things to look out for once the Premier League ball gets rolling again.

Premier League return: Teams to watch

Arsenal — Mikel Arteta has a lot to untangle at the Emirates Stadium, with the Spaniard charged with cleaning up the mess left by Unai Emery, but some progress had been noted before the coronavirus shutdown. Arsenal come into Wednesday’s match against Manchester City on the back of an eight-game unbeaten run and while they might only have won 50 percent of those games, Arteta is starting to put his mark on his new team.

Manchester United — Just as Manchester United appeared to be building some real momentum down the final stretch of the season, everything stopped. Indeed, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side signed off with a derby victory over Manchester City, winning eight of their last 11 games in all competitions. The arrival of Bruno Fernandes coupled with the return of Paul Pogba from injury could make United a must-watch side over the next few weeks.

Sheffield United — No matter what happens between now and the end of the season, Sheffield United have been one of the biggest stories of the 2019-20 Premier League campaign. Chris Wilder has built one of the most dynamic sides in the division, with the Blades still in the hunt for Champions League qualification. The sound of the competition’s famous anthem at Bramall Lane next season would be quite something.

Premier League return: Players to watch

Paul Pogba — Many believed the French midfielder had played his final game for Manchester United, missing the vast majority of the season through injury ahead of what seemed to be an inevitable summer exit. Now, though, Pogba has no escape route and will be forced to forge a partnership with United’s new headline act, Fernandes.

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Aymeric Laporte — The injury suffered by Aymeric Laporte early on in the season was cited by many as the reason for Manchester City’s disappointing title defense. Indeed, Pep Guardiola’s side have missed the French defender, but the true extent of his influence will be revealed now that he is fully fit again and ready to play.

Adama Traore — Wolves are one of the teams still targeting Champions League qualification and the form of Adama Traore has been one of the reasons for their sustained success. The Spanish winger has scored four and assisted seven in 28 Premier League appearances, reportedly attracting attention from Liverpool. Traore is always worth a watch.

Premier League return: Storyline to watch

The race for the top four — While Liverpool’s red ribbons might be as good as tied on the Premier League trophy, as many as seven teams could still qualify for the Champions League.

Liverpool and Manchester City are all but certain of their place in the top four, but Leicester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Wolves, Sheffield United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal still have a lot of work to do.

There will be a number of crunch clashes, starting with Friday’s game between Spurs and Manchester United. The restart will give some sides a chance to build fresh momentum over the final nine games of the season and others an opportunity pick up where they left off before everything ground to a halt. There will be many twists and turns with a lot on the line for so many ambitious clubs.