1. There will be debate over fan noise ad nauseum

When the Premier League returns on 17 June, viewers will have the option to switch on artificial crowd noise, which has been trialled in Bundesliga coverage.

Will it stop the debate though? We wouldn’t bet on it.

For every fan of innovation, there will be a furious purist who sees broadcasters adding Fifa crowd noise to live football as the final blow against authenticity in the game.

3. The five-sub rule will throw up interesting dilemmas

It’s official – managers will be able to use five substitutes per game for the remainder of the season. Teams will also be able to name nine substitutes.

Despite that, there will still only be three opportunities during the game for managers to make a change. With players potentially coming in a bit rusty, we’re very keen to see who will be the first manager to make five subs by 60 minutes.

4. There will be some very unusual hairstyles on display

This year has thrown us a lot of curveballs so far, but the revelation that Ashley Young can grow a full head of hair has truly got us shook.

With barbers and stylists still out of action because of social distancing measures, we have already been treated to some astounding barnets, as well as some interesting DIY trims.

5. Celebrations could look a bit weird

With no fans (home or away) to celebrate in front of/goad mercilessly, and social distancing rules in place, how exactly do players and managers celebrate goals with one another?

Hugs are off the cards, never mind pile-ons.

Some in the Bundesliga have already discovered the difficulties in navigating this new terrain.

By now, Prem players may have had time to get used to the new codes of conduct, but we can definitely foreesee some slightly awkward, stifled expressions of joy.

6. Someone will make a joke about a stadium resembling a library

Absolutely zero points to the first Twitter wag to say they can’t detect any difference in atmosphere at the ‘Emptyhad’/Emirates/other.

7. Some fans won’t accept Liverpool’s win

It’s almost certain Liverpool will seal their first league title in 30 years, maybe even in their first game back.

ust don’t expect all rival fans to accept that lying down. We may set up a penny jar for every time we hear the word asterisk.

8. ‘Home advantage’ may not be a thing any more

Without the crowd there to suck the ball into the net, will the home advantage actually mean anything?

As a test case, in the first couple of weeks after the Bundesliga returned, more away goals had been scored than home goals.

9. We probably won’t even mind having to live through more tedious VAR debates

Some things don’t change. Thankfully, we’re so starved of Premier League action right now that we’d actually welcome a heated studio debate on when an armpit 2cm over an arbitrary line does and doesn’t constitute a competitive advantage.

It cannot come soon enough.