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Premier League analysts believe Bundesliga restart suggests there is no home advantage without crowds

Fortuna Duesseldorf's Turkish defender Kaan Ayhan (R) is helped during the German first division Bundesliga football match Fortuna Duesseldorf v FC Schalke 04 - AFP
Fortuna Duesseldorf's Turkish defender Kaan Ayhan (R) is helped during the German first division Bundesliga football match Fortuna Duesseldorf v FC Schalke 04 - AFP

Premier League analysts expect home teams to have no advantage for the rest of the season after studying data from Bundesliga matches.

Top-flight clubs, who hope to restart the 2019/20 season next month, have also been warned about injury risks to players in training and cramp during games.

Clubs have assigned staff from scouting and analysis teams to look at games in Germany after they became the first league in Europe to restart following the suspension of sport following the coronavirus pandemic.

It is understood the main finding among the major clubs in the Premier League is that home teams will have little advantage in matches behind closed doors. With no fans in the stadium, the percentage of possession has been different to when supporters have been allowed in the stadiums.

The result has been just one home win in the first weekend of Bundesliga returning, then just two each during the second and third rounds of matches.

Bundesliga clubs found that injuries were picked up during the early stages of their return to training after matches were stopped in March, attributed to sessions having too much intensity after a period of relative inactivity where players have kept their fitness up by training at home.

Borussia Dortmund were hit worst by injuries, with Emre Can and Axel Witsel suffering problems in their early sessions, while Erling Haaland picked up a knee complaint in the defeat to Bayern Munich this week, with Jadon Sancho also carrying a calf injury.

There have been reports of Bundesliga players suffering from cramp after the 60-minute mark of games and needing treatment to carry on. Fifa are also allowing an extra two substitutes during games to cover for injuries resulting from an altered return to action compared to a usual pre-season.

Another noticeable difference in 'behind closed doors' matches has been the lack of dissent towards referees after contentious decisions, which can be put down to there being no atmosphere from the stands and the microphones picking up every word.

Premier League coaching departments are bracing themselves for the campaign to be completed in the heat of June, with playing in the middle of summer expected to favour the teams with young players. Some have compared this to international tournaments where the conditions favour younger players.