After almost nine months since fans were last able to access the stadium of their favourite EPL club, as the global pandemic weakens, certain areas in England now prepare to open their gates to the activities of supporters.
Sports betting sites would certainly see an increase in the number of bets placed by more confident fans, thanks to the opening of some stadiums. Wagering on a match that you can watch in real-life has a different flair to it. But whenever you are in doubt or need some expert guidance, you can always follow the football betting tips on 101greatgoals.
Although there are different polls divided on whether the stadiums should be opened for fans to return and watch games before a COVID-19 vaccine is released, the decision held in England to allow a limited number of supporters to watch at a time still stands.
What to expect?
When you’re going to the stadium, you can expect strict adherence to all provided COVID-19 safety rules. On arrival, you will have to undergo a temperature check, fill a medical questionnaire, and download the NHS app to ensure that you are not infected and to protect yourself from others.
Fans have been advised to avoid singing, shouting, or screaming excessively. You also need to wear a face mask at all times and remain socially distanced from the others. The masks can be taken off to eat or drink, but only for a short moment.
Concerning the seating arrangements, fans from the same home will be able to sit together. All other fans, however, will have to sit per the prepared seating plan of the stadium to encourage social distancing. No selfies allowed. No hugs or high-fives when your team scores a goal.
What is the allocated fan limit for each stadium?
The number of fans that can attend a home game differs from one stadium to another and depends on the tier that the club belongs to. For those in the tier-one region, there will be a maximum of 4,000 supporters permitted into the stadium. If the stadium is situated in the tier-two region, a maximum of 2,000 fans will be given entry. Those of the third tier, sadly, will not have any entrance.
Clubs such as Fulham, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham, Liverpool, Everton, Brighton, Crystal Palace, and Southampton belong to tier two. Manchester United, Manchester City, Burnley, Leicester City, Wolves, Leeds United, Newcastle United, West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield United, and Aston Villa belong to the tier-three region. Currently, no club is within tier one.
What does this mean?
Honestly, this means a lot for the clubs and its players, especially those in the tier-three region. The atmosphere and tension that fans create for home teams are one of the key elements that define the outcome of a match.
So, you cannot compare the general vibe of tier-two stadiums to those in the tier-three area. While this home field importance is not as high as compared to leagues like the Bolivian Primera División or Scottish Championship, it is still a key factor in each club’s quest for victory.
These limitations could also feel strange to EPL coaches and players. Can you imagine having only 2,000 or 4,000 fans in a 50,000+ capacity stadium? Both the teams and fans will have to adapt to this new challenge.
A little FYI: For this current season, the first Premier League match that supporters were allowed to watch was at the London Stadium. A wonderful game between West Ham and Manchester United.
