Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich scheduled friendly before Premier League restart

We’re about two weeks away from the English Premier League restarting the 2019-2020 campaign in an effort to finish it on the pitch and not via video conference. While there are genuine concerns about safety due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this is going to happen and the clubs are preparing.

Tottenham Hotspur are full steam ahead with their preparations and, according to The Telegraph, have scheduled a friendly with fellow EPL side Norwich City as a final tune-up before taking on Manchester United.

Jose Mourinho has lined up a friendly for his Tottenham side to face Norwich on Friday as he steps up plans to resume the season later this month.

Both clubs have played in-house 11 v 11 matches since practice matches were granted during Step 2 of Project Restart but the fixture is one of the first arranged for Premier League opposition to face each other.

There was a question as to whether the friendlies could be scheduled given the national guidelines on safety surrounding the pandemic, but last week the clubs were given the green light to schedule if both sides agreed. Norwich isn’t too far of a jaunt from London so it makes sense to have this match as prep.

With Manchester City’s hearing regarding their European ban taking place this week, Spurs will know within a few days if fifth place will get them Champions League qualification or not. Spurs are currently in eighth place and seven points out of fourth. While Top Four might seem a daunting task, fifth might be attainable. Manchester United currently hold that spot at 45 points, meaning the restart of the league could see a crucial six-pointer in the race for Champions League football next season. Norwich are currently bottom of the table and seven points from safety, so they’ll be fighting for every last point they can muster.