Coronavirus pandemic: EPL restart - Race for Europe

All to play for

With the title race all but over, Richard Jolly looks at the race for European places and the challenges facing each club from Manchester City through to Arsenal. Who will the key player in each team's run-in be?

Aymeric Laporte.
Wilfred Ndidi.
Tammy Abraham.
Paul Pogba.
Adama Traore.
Dean Henderson.
Harry Kane.
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang.

MANCHESTER CITY

Current: 2nd. Predicted: 2nd

Outlook: It depends on two things: Their appeal against their two-year European ban and whether they can win the Champions League. City are almost certain to come second, but could do with Raheem Sterling getting a first goal of 2020. Having Leroy Sane fit again is another boost to make them more potent.

Key Player: Aymeric Laporte - City have not conceded with Laporte on the pitch since August. Injury has destroyed his campaign and disrupted their rearguard, but the crucial centre-back is available again.


LEICESTER CITY

Current: 3rd. Predicted: 3rd

Outlook: Eight points ahead of fifth spot, they should get Champions League football but a tough last two games mean they need to keep that cushion. They are without their pivotal right-back Ricardo Pereira and could do with Jamie Vardy, who has just two goals since Christmas, scoring more regularly.

Key Player: Wilfred Ndidi - It is no coincidence that Leicester's form dipped when their defensive midfielder was injured in January. They have won both times he has started since he returned.


CHELSEA

Current: 4th. Predicted: 5th

Outlook: Healthy, in that Timo Werner is arriving in the summer. But worrying: After eight months in the top four, they still have to face four of the top six. They could need the departing Willian and Pedro to make fine parting contributions and for Kepa Arrizabalaga to justify his fee.

Key Player: Tammy Abraham - A revelation, but has scored only once in an injury-hit 2020. Needs to produce the right response to Werner's imminent arrival.


MANCHESTER UNITED

Current: 5th. Predicted: 4th

Outlook: Encouraging. They are unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions, conceding only twice. They also have Marcus Rashford fit and can pair Paul Pogba with Bruno Fernandes. But opening games against Tottenham and Sheffield United will be a barometer if their February form was a false dawn.

Key Player: Paul Pogba - Not played in 2020, not got an assist since August or a goal all season but finally fit again and likely to stay. If motivated, he can give United an extra dimension.


WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Current: 6th. Predicted: 7th

Outlook: A marathon, 13-month season could yet end in Europa League glory but a small squad may not be suited to a game where teams can make five substitutions. Only Liverpool and Manchester City are harder to beat but a drawing habit could cost them.

Key Player: Adama Traore - A shoulder injury restricted the roadrunner before lockdown and Wolves' goals dried up. Now the winger has had time to recover.


SHEFFIELD UNITED

Current: 7th. Predicted: 9th

Outlook: Shutdown came at the wrong time for the in-form, overachieving Blades. Now they have to try and regain that momentum. With four games against rivals for fourth, their destiny will be decided in head-to-head clashes. They have six away games, but only two defeats thus far on their travels.

Key Player: Dean Henderson - The goalkeeper has been instrumental in giving Sheffield the second best defensive record but is ineligible for next week's clash with his parent club, Man United.


TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Current: 8th. Predicted: 8th

Outlook: Better. Jose Mourinho was willing the season to end when Spurs were miserable in March. Now they have attackers Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Steven Bergwijn available again. But a tough run-in, especially at home, means they face a battle to salvage anything from a sorry season.

Key Player: Harry Kane - Out of action since New Year's Day but back now. Scored seven goals in 10 games under Mourinho. Something similar could be needed now.


ARSENAL

Current: 9th. Predicted: 6th

Outlook: Unbeaten in 2020 and with a game in hand but a July run of Wolves, Leicester, Tottenham and Liverpool threatens to end any hopes of Champions League football. Mikel Arteta could further his good start by guiding them back into the Europa League.

Key Player: Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang - Has responded well to Arteta's appointment and has scored from 63 per cent of his shots on target. Finishing that deadly could be decisive.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 17, 2020, with the headline All to play for. Subscribe