Premier League fans preview the restart, part 2: Man City to Wolves

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jun/14/premier-league-restart-fans-preview-manchester-city-wolves

Manchester City

This is the first time we’ve had a fully fit squad this season, with Laporte and Leroy back. And the various changes should suit City: Pep’s cerebral and intensely detailed brand of football should be easier to implement given the lack of emotion in the fixtures, and the ability to make five subs. That helps the bigger clubs.

Is it right to restart? 

I was strongly against it when lockdown was still fresh and the infection/death rates were very high. Finishing the season on a points-per-game basis seemed the best option at that point. But as the situation in the UK has improved (slightly) and the Bundesliga has shown what’s possible, I’ve become more comfortable with it. I’m struggling to get excited about behind-closed-doors football, though. And from a City perspective, that’s a real shame. We’ve still got so much to play for in Europe and the FA Cup - but any successes will feel somewhat hollow.

What I missed most … 

Seeing my mates in the pub before games, slagging off Pep’s weird and wonderful team selections over a beer, turning up late to almost every home game. It’s those daft match-day rituals I miss most.

What I missed least … 

Lazy punditry. And the hot takes you see on Twitter.

Has the club had a good lockdown? 

The Etihad campus was transformed into a huge testing facility and a hub for local NHS workers. The club didn’t furlough any of the staff. The ticket office was slow with refunds, though – but that has now been sorted.

Predictions … 

Top four: 1 Liverpool; 2 Man City; 3 Leicester; 4 Man United. 

Going down: 18 Bournemouth; 19 Aston Villa; 20 Norwich.

• Lloyd Scragg NinetyThreeTwenty.com @lloyd_scragg