Hitting HOME
67% of wins by clubs in bottom six are at their OWN stadium. That’s why it matters so much in survival bid...
THE six clubs accused of blocking Project Restart WILL suffer if they are forced to play at neutral venues.
That is the evidence for the case of home advantage as the Premier League eyes a return to action next month, following the Covid-19 lockdown.
The rebel six – Norwich, Watford, Villa, Bournemouth, West Ham and Brighton – will vote against the campaign getting under way at a variety of stadia throughout the country.
They have said that the competition’s integrity would be called into question if the season is completed away from their traditional homes.
All of them are in danger of being relegated to the Championship and are being seen as obstacles to the season resuming after highlighting how vital playing at their respective homes would be in their survival battle run-ins.
A shareholders meeting, scheduled for tomorrow, has been called to thrash out the matter once and for all.
And these dissenting voices have been warned that they run the risk of being outvoted and forced to toe the line – with the rest of the clubs pressing on regardless.
However, statistics show that the relegation-threatened clubs do have genuine cause for grievance.
According to research into the Premier League since the competition’s inception in 1992, the statistics do back up their stance.
Almost half (46 per cent) of games played during that time have ended in a home win – and it is particularly important for teams at the bottom end.
Two-thirds of all wins by sides who finished in the last six were on their own turf, compared to just one-third away.
Of those strugglers, that would help Villa most as they have six games to play at their famous Birmingham home.
Brighton, Bournemouth, Norwich, Watford and West Ham have five apiece.
In fact, the Seagulls’ run-in at the Amex appears to be the most difficult.
Out of their remaining five games at home, Graham Potter’s men have to face Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal plus a rejuvenated Newcastle.
However, all is not yet lost as Liverpool may have won the title and the Gunners are unlikely to be contesting a spot in the top four.
And the stats show almost one in five of the matches played at home by the bottom three ends in victory, which will give Potter (right) and his side some hope as they battle to avoid the drop.
But figures alone will not be sufficient to save those voicing their disapproval over forfeiting their territorial advantage. The Premier League needs a 70 per cent majority to push through the concept of neutral venues when they convene. The implied threat is that could bring about a premature end to the Premier League campaign with attention turning instead to simply relegating those currently lying in the bottom three. However, that is unlikely to happen as the clubs will be automatically giving up the outstanding £750million due to them by the broadcasters if the remaining games are televised.