Premier League authorities have announced that head to head will take precedence over goals difference when teams are tied on points.
The decision will come into play when the new season kicks off on August 9. In previous seasons, goal difference have been used to separate teams when tied on points.
In the 2010/2011 season, Manchester City won the league ahead of Manchester United by the virtue of goal difference. However, from next season title, top four qualifications and relegation battles will be decided by head to head whenever teams involved are tied on points.
The head to head rule is what is used in other top European leagues including the Spanish La Liga and the Italian Serie A. The Premier League have now decided to follow suit.
“If two or more clubs finish level in the table when competing for the title or European qualification, or when relegation is at stake, their records in the head-to-head matches will now be used to separate them,” A Premier League statement read via Liverpool Echo.
“In 2019/20, the team who have collected the most points in the head-to-head duels between the sides lying level on points, goal difference and number of goals scored, will take the highest finishing position, while the team with the fewest will take the lowest place. The statement continued.
The new premier league season kicks off on Friday, August 9 with Liverpool hosting Norwich in the first match of the campaign.