• WINNERS: Liverpool – 25 points clear and therefore potentially one match away from mathematically being crowned champions, the Anfield club will almost certainly go on to lift their first top-flight title in 30 years. PA
    WINNERS: Liverpool – 25 points clear and therefore potentially one match away from mathematically being crowned champions, the Anfield club will almost certainly go on to lift their first top-flight title in 30 years. PA
  • Leicester City – The 2015/16 champions have enjoyed a fantastic season with Brendan Rodgers and sit snuggly in third, eight points clear of fifth - a second appearance in the Champions League should be theirs. AFP
    Leicester City – The 2015/16 champions have enjoyed a fantastic season with Brendan Rodgers and sit snuggly in third, eight points clear of fifth - a second appearance in the Champions League should be theirs. AFP
  • Manchester United – An incredible turnaround in the past few weeks – they are unbeaten in five league matches, 10 in all competitions – has carried United to fifth and within three points of the Champions League spots. Reuters
    Manchester United – An incredible turnaround in the past few weeks – they are unbeaten in five league matches, 10 in all competitions – has carried United to fifth and within three points of the Champions League spots. Reuters
  • Wolves – Although not regular contenders for the top four, Nuno Espirito Santo’s well-drilled side hold Champions League ambitions. They sit sixth, five points off Chelsea in fourth. Very capable of making a charge. EPA
    Wolves – Although not regular contenders for the top four, Nuno Espirito Santo’s well-drilled side hold Champions League ambitions. They sit sixth, five points off Chelsea in fourth. Very capable of making a charge. EPA
  • Sheffield United – Similar to Wolves, although the Sheffield club can claim to be having an even better season. Win their game in hand and the newly promoted side leapfrog Man United into fifth. Champions League football at Bramall Lane? PA
    Sheffield United – Similar to Wolves, although the Sheffield club can claim to be having an even better season. Win their game in hand and the newly promoted side leapfrog Man United into fifth. Champions League football at Bramall Lane? PA
  • Tottenham Hotspur – With their season in serious drift and injuries taking their toll, Jose Mourinho has been handed a reprieve. Spurs are eighth and seven points off top four. The return of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min would give real boost. AFP
    Tottenham Hotspur – With their season in serious drift and injuries taking their toll, Jose Mourinho has been handed a reprieve. Spurs are eighth and seven points off top four. The return of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min would give real boost. AFP
  • Bournemouth – Just about remaining in the fight for survival, Eddie Howe’s men will be looking at Brighton in 15th, only two points above. However, stuck in 18th, they still have to face Man United, Spurs and Man City. Reuters
    Bournemouth – Just about remaining in the fight for survival, Eddie Howe’s men will be looking at Brighton in 15th, only two points above. However, stuck in 18th, they still have to face Man United, Spurs and Man City. Reuters
  • Aston Villa – The League Cup runners-up should be galvanised by their valiant display in defeat to City. The run to the final means they have a game in hand on all their relegation rivals: win that, and they jump to 16th. Have another tough run-in, though. EPA
    Aston Villa – The League Cup runners-up should be galvanised by their valiant display in defeat to City. The run to the final means they have a game in hand on all their relegation rivals: win that, and they jump to 16th. Have another tough run-in, though. EPA
  • Norwich City – Would arguably be one of the better sides to go down should they get relegated, but they now have the chance to scrap until the end. Still, they’re four points adrift at the bottom, and their remaining fixtures include Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City. Getty Images
    Norwich City – Would arguably be one of the better sides to go down should they get relegated, but they now have the chance to scrap until the end. Still, they’re four points adrift at the bottom, and their remaining fixtures include Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City. Getty Images
  • LOSERS: Manchester City – Maybe a hollow victory, but the champions would have retained their crown had the season been voided. They sit second, and have played a game less, however Leicester are only four points off. EPA
    LOSERS: Manchester City – Maybe a hollow victory, but the champions would have retained their crown had the season been voided. They sit second, and have played a game less, however Leicester are only four points off. EPA
  • Chelsea – Frank Lampard’s debut season as manager would be considered a huge success if Chelsea finished fourth. But a resurgent Man Utd will have them looking nervously over their shoulder. Reuters
    Chelsea – Frank Lampard’s debut season as manager would be considered a huge success if Chelsea finished fourth. But a resurgent Man Utd will have them looking nervously over their shoulder. Reuters
  • Brighton – Sitting 15th and with a couple of teams between them and the relegation zone, the out-of-form coastal club are in real danger of getting sucked in. Only two points better off than Bournemouth in 17th. Reuters
    Brighton – Sitting 15th and with a couple of teams between them and the relegation zone, the out-of-form coastal club are in real danger of getting sucked in. Only two points better off than Bournemouth in 17th. Reuters
  • West Ham United – Little wonder vice-chair Karren Brady wanted the season declared null and void. The Londoners are out of the relegation spots only on goal difference, and have still to play Spurs, Chelsea and Man United. PA
    West Ham United – Little wonder vice-chair Karren Brady wanted the season declared null and void. The Londoners are out of the relegation spots only on goal difference, and have still to play Spurs, Chelsea and Man United. PA
  • Watford – The third of the clubs peering down inside of up. Nigel Pearson’s side may have shown some late-season bloom, but they remain 17th - level on points with Bournemouth but one goal better off. Villa have played a game less, too. Getty Images
    Watford – The third of the clubs peering down inside of up. Nigel Pearson’s side may have shown some late-season bloom, but they remain 17th - level on points with Bournemouth but one goal better off. Villa have played a game less, too. Getty Images

Football

Great news for Liverpool but a battle for Chelsea: winners and losers after the Premier League decision

Some clubs will be happier than others now they have to complete the remaining fixtures

John McAuley
John McAuley

March 19, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The Premier League and other stakeholders met on Thursday to discuss how to conclude the current season, which remains suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It was decided that professional football in England will not resume until April 30 at the earliest. The decision was made by the Premier League, English Football League and Football Association (FA), along with other governing bodies. Also, the FA board agreed to extend the end-of-season date indefinitely, which is usually fixed at June 1.

As and when the Premier League season resumes, certain clubs will be happier about the restart than others.

With that in mind, John McAuley selects his winners and losers from the remaining fixtures in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next slide, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

Premier League