The Premier League Teams Who Will Be Most Affected by Lack of Fans - Ranked
By Tom Gott
When the Premier League returns next week, fans will not be allowed into stadiums to cheer their fans on. It's going to make for very strange viewing for supporters at home (as we've already seen in Germany and Spain), but players will find it even tougher.
Playing at home is always seen as an advantage, but for some sides it matters more than others. Supporters give them the extra boost they need to push on to victory, but some teams will be left searching for that extra impact elsewhere.
Here are the teams who will miss the support of their fans more than most...
8. Liverpool
Remaining home games: Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Burnley, Chelsea
We all know about Anfield's famous atmosphere. When Liverpool aren't on top form, they usually know they can turn to their fans to will them through to victory.
That option is obviously not going to be possible once football comes back, and it might come as a real shock to the system for Jürgen Klopp's side.
Fortunately, the utterly outstanding work they did before lockdown means that they're going to win the Premier League title anyway, so the impact won't be so painful... except when it comes to the heartache of an empty stadium trophy presentation.
7. Manchester United
Remaining home games: Sheffield United, Bournemouth, Southampton, West Ham
Manchester United have been awful away from home this year. Without their form at Old Trafford, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side would be well down the table out of the running for Champions League places.
Their first game at home will come against Sheffield United, in what could be a straight shoot-out for fifth place (and potentially Champions League qualification), but United will be all alone.
If United miss out on Europe again, that could be catastrophic to their transfer plans. Fortunately for them, the rest of their calendar looks fairly straightforward.
6. Aston Villa
Remaining home games: Sheffield United, Chelsea, Wolves, Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Arsenal
Currently sitting 19th, Aston Villa are fighting for their lives. They need all the support they can get, but they'll get none at Villa Park.
Villa's five remaining home games will come against Chelsea, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Arsenal, all of which would be hard enough with fans, let alone without.
Having won just twice away from home all year, Villa's form at home has been crucial, something they might not be able to rely on anymore.
5. Everton
Remaining home games: Liverpool, Leicester, Southampton, Aston Villa, Bournemouth
Few sides have been as polarising this season as Everton. Having won 50% of their home games and just 20% of the away fixtures, Carlo Ancelotti's men rely on fan support at Goodison Park.
Liverpool will make the trip over on Sunday knowing that they could win the Premier League title, and Everton will have no fans to boost their chances of stopping them.
Seeing their rivals celebrating at Goodison would be the ultimate humiliation, while a few more bad results could see them tumble down the table.
4. Tottenham Hotspur
Remaining home games: Manchester United, West Ham, Everton, Arsenal, Leicester
Tottenham owe most of their success to their home form, much like Man Utd. With eight wins at home and just three away, that's clear to see.
Leicester, Everton and United will all provide major tests at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while José Mourinho's men will also have to overcome rivals West Ham and Arsenal without their home fans.
Spurs have not been able to rely on their away form this year, but they just might have to try.
3. Norwich City
Remaining home games: Southampton, Everton, Man Utd, Brighton, West Ham, Burnley
When you're the league's bottom side, you need all the support you can get. Winning at home could be key to Norwich's chances of survival, especially since Daniel Farke's side have won just once away from home all year, but there'll be no advantage at Carrow Road.
With five home games remaining, Norwich will have wanted their fans to will them to as close to 15 points as possible. Games against Southampton, Brighton and West Ham (all looked quite winnable before) now look set to be vital.
For Norwich, there will likely be few points on the road as Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Watford are all on the schedule, so those home fixtures are about as important as they come.
2. West Ham United
Remaining home games: Wolves, Chelsea, Burnley, Watford, Aston Villa
Though the London Stadium is not normally seen as a fortress, home support might've proven crucial for the Hammers in the run-in.
With upcoming matches against Wolves and Chelsea, West Ham will return to action in a tougher position than most. On paper, they don't look like picking up many points - and perhaps even fewer without the leveller that is home advantage.
David Moyes' side will also face relegation rivals Watford and Aston Villa at home in two games which could decide who goes down.
Losing either would likely leave West Ham in the drop zone, and can you imagine the fan response if the Hammers go down? Yikes.
Upcoming away trips to Manchester United and Tottenham further expedite the need for home victories.
1. Watford
Remaining home games: Leicester, Southampton, Norwich, Newcastle, Man City
Watford are right in the thick of a relegation battle, and their form at home is the only reason they aren't bottom. The Hornets have lost nine away games, compared to just five at Vicarage Road.
Tough visits of Leicester and Manchester City just got a whole lot harder, while the relegation six-pointer against Norwich could well be a nine-pointer now... if that's a thing.
Chelsea, Burnley, West Ham and Arsenal will try and ensure Watford pick up as few points on the road as possible, and winning at home might not be any easier.