The F.A. Premier League 2020-2021 season starts on Saturday 12 September just 48 days after the 2019-2020 “Season to end all seasons” (or will it be?) finished on 26 July 2020. The Premier London derbies (PLDs) season also starts on Saturday at Craven Cottage where the 12.30 pm kick-off of newly promoted Fulham against Arsenal begins the new F.A.P.L. season. Both teams have played less than 48 days ago, with Fulham coming back into the top-flight via the EFL Championship play-off final where they beat West London rivals Brentford 2-0, and Arsenal were winners of the F.A. Cup against Chelsea on 1 August and beat Liverpool on penalties in last weekend’s Community Shield new season curtain raiser.
Just to remind you how it finished after our Clubs 10 matches against one another in the PLDs mini-league last season 2019-2020:
Club. Win Draw Lost Goal Difference Points.
- Chelsea (4) 7 1 2 +9 22
2. Tottenham (6) 4 4 2 +5 16
3. Arsenal (8) 3 5 2 +2 14
4. Crystal P. (14) 3 4 3 -4 13
5. West Ham (16) 4 0 6 -2 12
6. Watford (19 R) 0 4 6 -10 4
(The number in brackets after each Club’s name indicates their final F.A.P.L. position.)
2019-2020 PLDs Champions Chelsea have celebrated by buying, (now they are legally permitted to do so again), Timo Werner, and an even more expensive German player in Kai Havertz. Crystal Palace, who now have the oldest Manager in world top-flight football in Roy Hodgson at age 73 years, have bought Eberechi Eze from EFL Championship Q.P.R. Neither West Ham United nor Tottenham Hotspur have “splashed the cash” probably both mindful that every match in an empty 60,000 capacity stadium means up to £5 million lost income, although Spurs may have strengthened their squad laterally with some low-priced experienced strong men ahead of a potentially gruelling season. The transfer window is open to 5 October in Europe and then only with the EFL to 16 October.
So we are all ready to go and wish Fulham all the best as they take on Arsenal in a fixture they lost 1-5 when last played on 7 October 2018. Welcome back to them and Scott Parker!
Welcome to you, stay alert and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.