The domestic treble is still an option for the clubs of the Premier League despite the late start to the 2020-21 season.
The League Cup and FA Cup are both back for the congested new season of English football, albeit with significant changes to each competition.
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The former will jam four matchdays into September, while the latter has eliminated replays.
There’s also news regarding the Community Shields for men and women.
League Cup news
Premier League clubs will be busy early in their seasons.
League Cup action begins on Sept. 5 and Premier League teams will enter the competition days after the top flight’s Opening Day.
Chelsea and Man City may even play a League Cup game before they return to PL action if the Champions League clubs are given another week to prepare for the league’s Sept. 12 start.
Rounds two, three and four will then be played on consecutive midweeks, starting on September 15 and 16.
PL teams will enter the competition in those rounds depending on their 2019-20 league position, and that could see some PL teams play seven times between Sept. 12 and the first week of October.
There will only be one-legged semifinals this season, and the first-round draw will be held on Aug. 18.
FA Cup news
The FA Cup will begin its extrapreliminary rounds, also on Sept. 5, with 44 clubs from the top three divisions not participating until the third round proper in early January.
There will be no replays in this year’s tournament, which amplifies the chances for upsets on the way to the May 15 final at Wembley Stadium.
Arsenal beat Chelsea to win its record 14th FA Cup this past season.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: (L-R) Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick AUbameyang and Alex Lacazette celebrate after the FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 01, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Community Shield
The FA also announced that its going to stage a special doubleheader of women’s and men’s silverware when the Community Shields are awarded on Aug. 29 at Wembley.
FA Women’s Super League champions Chelsea challenge Women’s FA Cup holders Manchester City three hours before FA Cup winners Arsenal tangle with Premier League champions Liverpool.
