Will your club's stadium be one of the Premier League's 'neutral' venues?

Premier League clubs have been told that using neutral venues will be the only way to complete the current season. Here, Telegraph Sport analyses which grounds are the most likely, and the most unlikely, to be chosen to host matches behind closed doors.

As reported by Telegraph Sport, a strict set of criteria will be used to select the grounds, focusing on:

• How easy it will be for fans to gather and travel
• How easy it will be to prevent fans getting close to the stadium and the ease of implementing social distancing
• Previous history when it comes to games being disrupted
• The infection rate for CovidD-19 in the local area

Likely to be chosen

© Getty (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal - Emirates Stadium

Stadium location

The stadium’s location in Islington means it is close to residential housing, but a campus-style perimeter around the ground, including steps, makes it easier to control the exterior. It is far from being isolated, though. 

Stadium interior

Spacious, with player and media facilities big enough for social distancing. The Emirates is regularly chosen to host international friendlies and the size of its dressing rooms and tunnel area will appeal at a time when the safety of the players is perhaps the most important factor in whether or not the season is completed.

© Provided by The Telegraph Bergkamo statue - TOBY MELVILLE/Reuters

Previous disruption

The ease of access to the ground via public transport has led to groups of fans congregating outside the stadium in the past. Eintracht Frankfurt supporters, for example, gathered in numbers to welcome their team’s bus earlier this season. Realistically, could this be stopped?

Local area infection rates

There are 417 known cases in Islington out of a local population of 239,142. That is a rate of 1,744 cases per million - the 118th highest rate in the UK.

Brighton & Hove Albion - The Amex

© Provided by The Telegraph The Amex - Action Images / Adam Hol

Stadium location

The stadium is situated on the outskirts of Brighton and for most supporters is best accessed by public transport. Road access to the ground is limited, meaning that it should be straightforward for the authorities to control.

Stadium interior

The Amex is modern and spacious, with excellent facilities. The tunnel area, in particular, provides plenty of space for players and coaching staff to maintain their distance. 

Previous disruption

There has been occasional trouble in matches against rivals Crystal Palace in recent seasons, both inside and outside the ground. For those matches, a heavy police presence is usually in place near Falmer station. There are no other obvious points of congregation for supporters.  

Local area infection rates

There are 381 known cases of coronavirus in Brighton and Hove out of a local population of 290,395. That is a rate of 1,312 cases per million - the 144th highest rate in the UK.

Leicester City - King Power Stadium

© Getty (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Stadium location

The King Power’s primary advantage is its location in the Midlands, which makes it an easily accessible location for clubs across the country. The stadium is detached from the city centre and road access is largely limited to three roads due to its location on the banks of the River Soar. 

Stadium interior

Inside, the stadium has modern facilities, even if they are slightly more cramped than some of the arenas in London. It should be noted that the King Power was deemed suitable to host England’s match against Switzerland in September 2018. 

Previous disruption

The stadium played host to a brawl between rival supporters at a boxing event in 2018 and there have been occasional clashes between football fans at Leicester City matches. These events are extremely unlikely to prevent the King Power from being chosen, though.

Local area infection rates

There are 676 known cases of coronavirus in Leicester out of a local population of 355,218. That is a rate of 1,903 cases per million - the 104th highest rate in the UK.

Manchester City - Etihad Stadium

© AFP Etihad Stadium complex - Paul Ellis/AFP

Stadium location

The stadium’s setting within the Etihad Campus, away from a densely populated area, makes it an ideal place to host games behind closed doors. Road access to the ground is limited, so should be relatively straightforward to control.

Stadium interior

Modern facilities, as you would expect of the Premier League champions. The Etihad hosted the England team in 2016 and was also selected as a venue for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. 

Previous disruption There was crowd trouble within the stadium earlier this year, during the Manchester derby. Fans also clashed outside the ground in August after a match against Tottenham Hotspur.

Local area infection rates

There are 1,154 known cases of coronavirus in Manchester out of a local population of 547,627. That is a rate of 2,107 cases per million - the 89th highest rate in the UK.

Southampton - St Mary’s Stadium

© Getty

Stadium location

St Mary’s is both detached from the city centre and sandwiched between the River Itchen and a train line. In effect, road access is limited to two roads. It should therefore be comparatively easy to control.

Stadium interior

Inside, the ground is tighter than some of the bigger arenas on this list but it was still deemed suitable to host England’s European Championships qualifier against Kosovo in September.

Previous disruption

Police were forced to intervene earlier this season when a scuffle broke out between supporters inside the ground, but there is little to suggest St Mary’s will be a hotbed of fan trouble outside the stadium.

Local area infection rates

There are 491 known cases of coronavirus in Southampton out of a local population of 252,796. That is a rate of 1,942 cases per million - the 102nd highest rate in the UK.

West Ham United - London Stadium

© Provided by The Telegraph London Stadium - JOHN SIBLEY/Reuters

Stadium location

The London Stadium’s setting within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park makes it perfect for a behind-closed-doors scenario. The surrounding river makes controlling access even easier. 

Stadium interior

West Ham fans have never been happy with the cavernous nature of the London Stadium, but the space around the pitch and inside the ground makes it ideal for social distancing. The pitch is far away from the stands, and even the technical areas are spacious. 

Previous disruptionThere have of course been repeated problems with supporters inside the ground since West Ham moved from Upton Park. This year, hundreds have gathered for peaceful protests outside the stadium.

Local area infection rates

There are 955 known cases of coronavirus in Newham out of a local population of 352,005. That is a rate of 2,713 cases per million - the 44th highest rate in the UK.

Possible venues

Aston Villa - Villa Park

© Getty (Photo by VISIONHAUS)

Stadium location

As with the King Power Stadium, the Midlands location makes it workable for teams based across the country. Villa Park also has a long history of hosting FA Cup semi-finals, so the concept of being a neutral venue is hardly unfamiliar. It is close to residential housing, though, and there are plenty of major roads leading to the stadium.

Stadium interior

Villa Park does not have as much space as some of the more modern grounds. But the tunnel area was redesigned in 2013 and its in-stadium facilities are not expected to cause a problem. 

Previous disruption

In 2015 Villa were hit with a record fine of £200,000 by the FA following crowd trouble in a match against West Bromwich Albion. There was also an out-of-control pitch invasion, in which James Maddison was pushed, when Villa defeated Leicester City in the Carabao Cup semi-final earlier this year.

Local area infection rates

There are 2904 known cases of coronavirus in Birmingham out of a local population of 1,141,374. That is a rate of 2,544 cases per million - the 54th highest rate in the UK.

Manchester United - Old Trafford

© Provided by The Telegraph Old Trafford - Nigel French/PA Wire

Stadium location

The walk to the stadium from the city centre takes up to an hour, which will make it more appealing as a behind-closed-doors venue. Old Trafford also has a controllable perimeter around the ground, with limited access to the stadium itself.

Stadium interior

Old Trafford has been criticised in recent years for showing its age, yet it clearly remains one of the leading arenas in English sport. It is regularly chosen to host charity matches, and is the venue for the Super League Grand Final. 

Previous disruption

Horrific matchday traffic has caused problems in recent years, with Jose Mourinho once choosing to walk to the ground instead of sitting on the team bus. Clearly, the absence of supporters would ease the strain on local roads. 

Local area infection rates

There are 622 known cases of coronavirus in Trafford out of a local population of 236,370. That is a rate of 2,631 cases per million - the 48th highest rate in the UK.

Tottenham Hotspur - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

© Getty (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

Stadium location

The main drawback for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is its location in such a busy, bustling part of north London. The stadium is neighboured by shops, houses, restaurants, supermarkets and a church. 

Stadium interior

Inside, the ground is faultless. There is more than enough space for social distancing. Even if the usual changing rooms did not provide adequate room, the stadium also boasts two larger NFL changing areas.

Previous disruption

Most of the teething problems endured by the new stadium have revolved around access to public transport and the strain on those services on matchdays. Tottenham fans also clashed with Ajax in the streets outside the ground last year.

Local area infection rates

There are 549 known cases of coronavirus in Haringey out of a local population of 270,624. That is a rate of 2,029 cases per million - the 96th highest rate in the UK.

Wolves - Molineux

© Provided by The Telegraph Liverpool's English midfielder Jordan Henderson scores the team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool - OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

Stadium location

Like the King Power and Villa Park, Molineux is a strong candidate to be chosen due to its location in the Midlands. However its proximity to the Wolverhampton city centre could be deemed problematic. 

Stadium interior

Molineux can hold conferences and exhibitions for up to 550 people, and should have more than enough space to accommodate two teams without compromising social distancing.

Previous disruptionThe most notable problem this season was a clash between Slovan Bratislava fans and police outside the stadium. In footage released of the incident, a group of supporters were seen trying to rush a line of police. There were also reports of a flare being set off in a nearby building.

Local area infection rates

There are 856 known cases of coronavirus in Wolverhampton out of a local population of 262,008. That is a rate of 3,267 cases per million - the 20th highest rate in the UK.

Norwich City - Carrow Road

© Getty

Stadium location

In terms of its geographical location within the country, Norwich is hardly the most convenient place to send two teams. Within the city, though, it should be manageable for a behind-closed-doors scenario. It is detached from the centre and road access is straightforward.

Stadium interior

More cramped, as you would expect, than some of the bigger grounds on the list. The on-site hotel could be useful, though.

Previous disruption

In December a supporter was banned from the stadium for three years after throwing a mobile phone on the pitch. 

Local area infection rates

There are 1,626 known cases of coronavirus in Norfolk out of a local population of 903,680. That is a rate of 1,799 cases per million - the 111th highest rate in the UK.

Bournemouth - Vitality Stadium

© Provided by The Telegraph Vitality Stadium - David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Stadium location

The Vitality’s location makes it a possible option on the south coast. It is far enough removed from the town centre without there being too much residential housing nearby. There is plenty of open space around the ground, too, and access via road is straightforward to control.

Stadium interior

As the smallest stadium in the Premier League, the interior is far more crowded than at larger grounds. This could work against the Vitality as areas such as the changing rooms and tunnel are comparatively tight.

Previous disruption

Official figures show that Bournemouth fans are among the best behaved in the Premier League. This does not mean the Vitality has been without trouble: seven Newcastle fans were arrested there after a pitch invasion last year.

Local area infection rates

There are 413 known cases of coronavirus in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole out of a local population of 395,784. That is a rate of 1,043 cases per million - the 154th highest rate in the UK.

Unlikely to be chosen

Chelsea - Stamford Bridge

© Getty (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Stadium location

Location will almost certainly be a problem. There is a controllable perimeter around Stamford Bridge that would prevent supporters from getting too close, but its setting in Fulham, with all of the easy public transport routes and nearby homes, is clearly far from ideal.

Stadium interior

Compared with other grounds of its size, both in and out of London, Stamford Bridge’s facilities are notably more tight. 

Previous disruption

Bayern Munich fans were filmed rushing the barriers outside the ground a few weeks before football was suspended. That night required a heavy police presence and there were problems with away fans getting into the home areas during Chelsea’s Europa League run last year.

Local area infection rates

There are 610 known cases of coronavirus in Hammersmith and Fulham out of a local population of 185,426. That is a rate of 3,290 cases per million - the 18th highest rate in the UK.

Liverpool - Anfield

© Provided by The Telegraph Anfield and Goodison - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Stadium location

So much of the stadium’s magic comes from its location within the streets of Anfield. In this scenario, the proximity to residential housing will prevent Anfield from seeing football again this season.

Stadium interior

Since its redevelopment, Anfield boasts all the required facilities and space to work in the social distancing era. That will not counteract the problems with its location, though.

Previous disruptionThe primary concern here will be fans spilling onto the streets outside of the ground, as Liverpool fans have done to such great effect on big European nights in recent seasons. It should be said that Liverpool have reacted furiously to claims from the city’s mayor suggesting the club’s fans will break social distancing measures in the event of securing the Premier League title.

Local area infection rates

There are 1,454 known cases of coronavirus in Liverpool out of a local population of 494,814. That is a rate of 2,938 cases per million - the 34th highest rate in the UK.

Newcastle United - St James’ Park

© Getty Soccer Football - Newcastle United - Newcastle, Britain, April 15, 2020 A general view outside St James' Park Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

Stadium location

The obvious problem here is geographic: it makes little sense for two teams to travel all the way up to Newcastle to play each other. 

Stadium interior

The facilities and space here do not lend themselves to social distancing, particularly in the famously small away team dressing room. 

Previous disruption

As with Liverpool, the concern is not so much what has gone before but what might be to come. Even if Newcastle are not playing at the ground, there are fears among some Premier League clubs that their fans will want to congregate to celebrate the news of their takeover, if indeed it goes through. 

Local area infection rates

There are 939 known cases of coronavirus in Newcastle upon Tyne out of a local population of 300,196. That is a rate of 3,128 cases per million - the 26th highest rate in the UK.

Crystal Palace - Selhurst Park

© Getty

Stadium location

Surrounded by residential housing, in one of the most densely populated areas in the country. Even if Selhurst Park boasted all the facilities of an NFL stadium in North Carolina, it would not be selected as a neutral venue in these circumstances.

Stadium interior

The charm of Selhurst Park is in its closeness. It is therefore impossible to see how social distancing could be observed in the club’s corridors or changing rooms. 

Previous disruption

There was chaos at the start of the campaign when Aston Villa fans came to blows with the police inside Selhurst Park. 

Local area infection rates 

There are 1,388 known cases of coronavirus in Croydon out of a local population of 385,346. That is a rate of 3,602 cases per million - the 12th highest rate in the UK.

Everton - Goodison Park

© Reuters Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough

Stadium location

Much like Anfield and Selhurst Park, Goodison Park is surrounded by residential roads in a densely populated area.

Stadium interior

The stadium is far from spacious, while access to the ground is not easily controlled. The tunnel area is also notoriously compact.

Previous disruption

There were ugly scenes outside the ground in December when congregating Arsenal fans began to clash with each other. In 2017, play was stopped in Everton’s match against Hajduk Split after supporters surged towards the pitch and threw objects.

Local area infection rates

There are 1,454 known cases of coronavirus in Liverpool out of a local population of 494,814. That is a rate of 2,938 cases per million - the 34th highest rate in the UK.

Watford - Vicarage Road

© Getty (Photo by Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)

Stadium location

Vicarage Road will almost certainly be deemed to be too close to the town centre, although access via road is relatively limited. The ground is surrounded by shops and residential roads, and is neighbored by a hospital. 

Stadium interior

There is space within Vicarage Road, as shown by the way the club has opened its doors to local NHS workers. Again, though, social distancing will be considerably more difficult than at bigger grounds in London.

Previous disruption

In February last year, four people were arrested following an altercation outside the ground which left two men needing hospital treatment. 

Local area infection rates

There are 2,341 known cases of coronavirus in Hertfordshire out of a local population of 1,184,365. That is a rate of 1,977 cases per million - the 98th highest rate in the UK.

Sheffield United - Bramall Lane

© Getty (Photo by Visionhaus)

Stadium location

Bramall Lane will almost certainly be seen as being too close to residential housing. The area’s high infection rates (see below) will also count against it.

Stadium interior

Close, intimate, atmospheric — and not at all appropriate for a game where social distancing measures will almost certainly be enforced away from the field of play. 

Previous disruption

There was police concern for public safety, and a number of arrests, in matches against Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday in 2018.

Local area infection rates

There are 2,191 known cases of coronavirus in Sheffield out of a local population of 582,506. That is a rate of 3,761 cases per million - the 9th highest rate in the UK.

Burnley - Turf Moor

© Getty (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Stadium location

Turf Moor’s proximity to residential housing makes it an unlikely choice. It is also easily accessible via public transport and by road, making it harder to lock the area down.

Stadium interior

Another stadium that can be best described as ‘intimate’. Earlier this season, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta claimed the Turf Moor pitch made it difficult to play attractive football. 

Previous disruption

Last season Burnley fans clashed with Cardiff supporters outside the ground. In 2017, a pre-season friendly against Hannover was abandoned after riot police were called in when visiting supporters tried to attack the home fans.

Local area infection rates

There are 2878 known cases of coronavirus in Lancashire out of a local population of 1,210,053. That is a rate of 2,378 cases per million - the 67th highest rate in the UK.