SO where were we?

After six weeks of enforced shut-down the Premier League returns on Boxing Day and in some ways nothing has changed, but in others it’s a very different landscape. To use one example from many, Aston Villa now have a World Cup winning goalkeeper in nets. That’s new.

Spurs and Manchester United meanwhile have a player apiece – Hugo Lloris and Rafael Varane – who gave everything to their nation’s cause only to endure heartbreak on the biggest stage, and it will be interesting to see if the psychological impact of that bleeds into their club football in the coming weeks.

Furthermore, it remains unclear which players involved in the World Cup final will feature over the festive period.

It’s only natural that such uncertainties exist, given how unique the current situation is, so perhaps it’s best to focus on what we do know as domestic duties resume. Starting with these five key aspects.

United’s brilliant back four

Erik Ten Hag will have been delighted to see Bruno Fernandes take his decent club form into the World Cup and excel for Portugal. Two goals and three assists is a fine return from four outings.

The Manchester United boss will have also been greatly encouraged by Marcus Rashford’s contribution, scoring every 45 minutes in Qatar.

It’s at the back though where he can be most satisfied, with four defenders enjoying stand-out tournaments.

A near ever-present throughout, Varane bolstered France to a final while Diogo Dalot was Portugal’s second-best performer according to the stats. Luke Shaw didn’t put a foot wrong for England and was arguably one of the most impressive left-backs in the competition. Then there’s Harry Maguire, rejuvenated and restored. The weight of the world off his shoulders.

The Reds kept three clean sheets in their last six and next Tuesday they’re up against a Nottingham Forest side who are admittedly improving but remain shot-shy, scoring just 11 all season. That equates to a goal every 122 minutes.

A defining month for Lampard

The Toffees will have been mighty glad of the break, offering Frank Lampard’s beleaguered side a chance to reset a tumultuous season that has taken them to the brink of crisis.

Let’s not forget they signed off in November with a timid display at Bournemouth that led to furious fans confronting the players, demanding better, demanding something at the least.

The probable return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a significant plus because while Everton have been pretty sound at the back – conceding the same number as Liverpool – up front they’ve consistently disappointed, failing to score in 46.6% of their fixtures.

An attacking threat is especially needed because the schedule has not been kind, immediately pitching the Blues into relegation scraps. In the next month they face three fellow inhabitants of the bottom six, starting with Wolves on Boxing Day.

Foxes to carry on flourishing

Potentially the game of the day on the 26^th will be at the King Power as a vastly improved Leicester host Newcastle, the visitors unbeaten in ten and absolutely flying.

Callum Wilson is the player to watch for Eddie Howe’s high-achievers, impressing in cameos at Qatar and scoring three in his last three starts for the Magpies.

Leicester’s recent recovery however should not be played down, conceding just once in their last nine hours of top-flight fare and winning four in five. They should be fancied to get something here.

Brendan Rodgers saw seven of his stars head to the Middle-East but of those Nampals Mendy played the most minutes, just 273 for Senegal. James Maddison didn’t feature at all, nor did Wout Faes meaning two of the biggest reasons behind the Foxes’ transformation will be well rested.

A new manager bounce at St Marys?

Incoming Southampton boss Nathan Jones took the reins a mere 48 hours before his new team headed to Anfield. In effect, his role that day was to watch and learn, a reconnaissance mission with his influence minimal.

It is a south coast derby with Brighton that can be considered his first proper game in charge and in between these two contests Jones has had six weeks working with essentially a full squad. Only two of his players went to the World Cup with Mohammed Salisu back in plenty of time and Armel Bella-Kotchap not featuring.

The Saints have won only once all season but ignore form and give logic the side-eye. If the Premier League strugglers are going to surprise this campaign, it is now.

Jesus and Haaland

The contrasting fortunes of Gabby Jesus and Erling Haaland may, or may not, effect the title race but it will likely take Arsenal a short while to adapt to being without their pivotal striker. Before departing for Qatar – where he suffered a knee injury that required surgery – the Brazilian boasted 11 direct goal involvements this term.

As for the prolific Norwegian, he’s been rebooting since mid-November, benefiting from a second pre-season in a matter of months.

Manchester City’s opponents Leeds have conceded seven in seven inside half an hour so don’t discount Haaland getting immediately back into the swing of things. The Gunners meanwhile still possess sufficient fire-power but may not be their usual fluid selves when hosting West Ham.