Will home advantage really vanish when the Premier League resumes? | Jonathan Wilson


Since the Bundesliga began again behind closed doors, the home side is half as likely to win as it was before

And so, we’re back. The Prince (an awkward embodiment of financial necessity and the perceived need for a circus to entertain the frustrated masses) has woken Sleeping Beauty (the Premier League) from her slumbers with a kiss and their fairytale romance will be consecrated at a lavish ceremony on Wednesday (Aston Villa v Sheffield United).

Cynicism is easy and to an extent justified, but this is probably a good thing. People like football and jobs depend on it, and national re-engagement in the grand distraction feels a significant moment in the return to something a little nearer normality. It is not, though, normality, either in society as a whole or on the pitch. So what can the Premier League expect on resumption?

Related: Bundesliga may have pressing problems but it's at the tactical forefront | Jonathan Wilson

Initially German sides struggled with defensive organisation. Break the routine of training and coordination is broken

Related: Premier League Project Restart: the key questions answered

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