In theory, Tottenham should be the biggest beneficiaries of the shutdown as Jose Mourinho gets his wish to start afresh with a fully-fit squad against former club Manchester United.
Mourinho has longed for a "pre-season" to properly implement his ideas and after a three-month break, during which the manager has been living with three of his coaches, second-guessing the Portuguese is no easy task.
We know that Harry Kane, Heung-min Son, Moussa Sissoko and Steven Bergwijn are all fit again but the latter may have to settle for a place on the bench behind Mourinho favourite Lucas Moura, who should be rejuvenated after hitting the wall in March. Erik Lamela, whose intensity would test rusty legs, is also pushing for a start.
In midfield, Tottenham's player-of-the-season so far Giovani Lo Celso has not been involved in full training this week and Mourinho confirmed on Thursday that he may not be risked.
This paves the way for Sissoko to start, with Mourinho confirming three starters at his press conference, and a possible chance for club-record signing Tanguy Ndombele, who could square off in an intriguing midfield battle with their France team-mate Paul Pogba. Where Ndombele's questionable fitness is concerned, the three-month hiatus may prove a great leveller.
Elsewhere, with Japhet Tanganga sidelined with a back problem and Jan Vertonghen coming to the end of his contract, Mourinho's back five looks fairly set, although Eric Dier showed promise at centre-half back in March. Dele Alli is suspended.
Tottenham predicted XI (4-3-3): Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Davies; Sissoko, Winks, Ndombele; Lucas, Kane, Son
