Premier League Opta Facts - 4-5 January

Statistics and facts to help your football betting are available every week at Sta Sam Ti Reko courtesy of Opta Sportsdata, Europe's leading provider of sports performance statistics.

Blackpool v Birmingham City

• Only one of the last 14 meetings in all competitions between Blackpool and Birmingham has ended as an away win.
• Blackpool have won 11 and lost none of their last 15 home games against Birmingham City in all competitions.
• Birmingham have won none and lost nine of their last 14 Premier League away matches.
• Alex McLeish's side have kept only two clean sheets in their last 18 Premier League away games.
• Blackpool haven't kept a clean sheet at home in the Premier League, but no visiting side has stopped them from scoring.

Fulham v West Bromwich Albion

• None of the nine Premier League meetings between Fulham and West Brom have ended as an away win.
• Fulham have won all four Premier League home meetings with West Brom
• West Brom have only won three out of 26 Premier league games away from home in London.
• West Brom have won just one of their last seven Premier league away matches.
• The Baggies have gone 10 away games without a clean sheet in the Premier League.
• West Brom are the only Premier League side not to have picked up a point since Christmas.
• Fulham have conceded the fewest goals in the second half of Premier League matches this season (eight) but have scored the fewest as well (nine).

Manchester United v Stoke City

• Man Utd have won all five Premier League games against Stoke City.
• No opposition player has scored more goals at Old Trafford than Eidur Gudjohnsen (3).
• Stoke have won none and lost nine of their last 10 trips to Old Trafford in all competitions.
• There have been six goals scored in the last 10 minutes in the last five Premier League matches between Stoke and Man Utd.
• Man Utd have won 19 and lost just one of their last 21 Premier League matches at Old Trafford.
• Man Utd haven't conceded a first half goal at Old Trafford in the Premier League since Joe Cole scored in April for Chelsea.
• Stoke have never won back to back away games in the Premier League.
• Five of Javier Hernandez's eight goals for Man Utd in all competitions have come as a substitute.

Arsenal v Manchester City

• City have only scored five goals in 13 Premier League away games against Arsenal and none in their last three visits to the Emirates.
• City have won none of their last 27 away games against Arsenal in all competitions - their last win a 3-2 league win in October 1975.
• City have won four and lost none of their last five Premier League away matches.
• Man City have conceded exactly one goal in their last four Premier League away matches.
• Arsenal have won back-to-back home matches for the third time in the league this season, but are yet to win three on the bounce.
• No side has kept more clean sheets in the Premier League this season than Manchester City (10).
• The Gunners are the only team not to have conceded a goal in the opening 15 minutes of a Premier League match this season.
• Arsenal (21) are the only team to have more points away from home than Man City (20).

Aston Villa v Sunderland

• John Carew has scored in the last two home matches against Sunderland for Villa.
• There have been seven goals scored in the opening 30 minutes of games in the last five Premier League meetings between Villa and Sunderland.
• Sunderland have won just three of their last 39 Premier league away matches, but the Black Cats have only lost three of the last nine road trips.
• Sunderland have won just one of the last 14 Premier League away games against teams from the Midlands.
• The Villans have shipped three or more goals in four of their last six Premier League matches.
• The last 13 Premier League penalties against Brad Friedel have been scored.
• Aston Villa have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 10 Premier League matches.

Newcastle United v West Ham United

• West Ham scored from their only shot on target in the reverse fixture at Upton Park.
• There have been exactly four goals scored in each of the last three Premier League games between West Ham and Newcastle at St James Park, and in five of the last six games between the sides overall.
• Carlton Cole has scored three goals in six Premier League appearances against Newcastle including the last two.
• Newcastle have only won two of their last nine Premier League matches at St James Park.
• The Magpies have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine home Premier League games.
• The Hammers have gone 18 consecutive Premier League games on the road without a clean sheet, their longest ever run without a shut-out in the competition.
• The Magpies have failed to score more than once in nine of their last 10 Premier League matches.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea

• Petr Cech has never had to save as many shots (9) in a Premier League game since joining Chelsea in 2004/05 as he did against Wolves in the reverse game back in October.
• Chelsea have won the last six meetings with Wolves in all competitions.
• Frank Lampard has scored in both of his Premier League appearances against Wolves.
• Arsenal are the only team to prevent Wolves from scoring against them in their last 12 Premier League matches at Molineux.
• Wolves have only kept one clean sheet in their last 12 Premier League matches on home soil.
• The Blues have picked up only one win in their last eight league games.
• Carlo Ancelotti's men have scored only five goals in their last eight Premier League games on the road combined.
• Wolves have picked up as many points in their last six league games (nine) as they had in the previous 14 combined.

Blackburn Rovers v Liverpool

• Blackburn have won none and lost five of their last seven Premier League games against Liverpool.
• Rovers have won just one of their last 20 matches in all competitions against Liverpool and just one of the last 24 in the Premier League.
• Fernando Torres has scored five goals in four Premier League appearances against Blackburn.
• Liverpool have scored only six goals in their last 10 Premier League away games and not more than once in any of those fixtures.
• Roy Hodgson has won just one of his last 27 games away from home as a manager in the Premier League.
• Rovers' defenders have netted six Premier League goals this season, more than any other side's.
• If only the first half of matches counted in the Premier League this season, Blackburn would be 6^th.

Bolton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic

• The last six Premier League games between these sides have produced only eight goals in total.
• Wigan have scored only nine goals in 11 games against Bolton in the Premier League.
• Bolton have lost just one of their last 12 Premier League matches at the Reebok Stadium.
• A clean sheet last time out against West Brom ended a run of eight Premier League home games without a clean sheet for the Trotters.
• Wigan's win away at Wolves ended a run of seven matches without a victory on the road for the Latics.
• Bolton have netted six goals via substitutes this season, more than any other Premier League side.
• The Latics are the lowest scoring side in the Premier League this season (17).

Everton v Tottenham Hotspur

• Everton have only won two of their 18 Premier league games against Spurs at Goodison Park and have drawn the last three in a row.
• Four of the last six Premier League matches between Everton and Spurs have ended as draws, while the other two in that run have been won by a single-goal margin.
• Everton have only won two of their last nine Premier League home games.
• Spurs haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last 10 Premier League away matches.
• Tottenham have only won back to back away games twice in the Premier League under Harry Redknapp.
• Everton have won only one of their last 10 Premier League games.
• Gareth Bale has scored five goals in his last eight Premier League appearances.

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04-01-2011 21:00 Manchester United - Stoke City

Halfway There

Manchester United have played 19 games and accumulated 41 points, which puts them currently at the top of the table.

But form may be a slight concern ahead of this game, since the Red Devils arguably did not deserve to register a victory over West Brom in their last game. It was a match that saw the league leaders struggle for long periods as the Baggies looked like carving out what would have been a well deserved draw, only for a goal from Javier Hernandez to take that all away.

However, it represents one important character of a big team, which is to continue getting the right result even when the performance may be under par.

But the encouraging part of that game came in the form of the opening goal, as striker Wayne Rooney managed to grab his first goal from open play this season. It has been a rollercoaster period in the forward’s career, as he made headlines for all the wrong reasons, hit a poor patch of form, and wanted to leave the club before a sudden u-turn saw him commit his long-term future to the Old Trafford outfit.

United will no doubt want three points from this game, as they have difficult games against Liverpool and Tottenham coming up.

Playing Their Part At The Theatre Of Dreams

Stoke City may be forgiven for viewing the atmospheric Old Trafford as a ‘Theatre of Tragedy’, since they have not beaten United in their own backyard in 34 years. Moreover, five clashes against Sir Alex Ferguson’s men since promotion have bore no fruit, as they have resulted in nothing more than five losses.

But the Potters have been very good this season, and are sitting pretty at eighth place in the Premier League. It marks a very positive period for the club, as they have been improving all the time since their promotion to the top-flight in 2008.

And as things stand, a little more consistency could see Tony Pulis’ men come in with a real shout of obtaining a European run next season. As it stands, the Potters remain only three points away from sixth placed Sunderland.

But just as easily, three points lesser than their current tally of 27, and it would have put them in 14th place instead of their respectable residence top half.

Things could very easily move either way, and Pulis will undoubtedly want his charges to take something out of this game to maintain some form of a push in the positive direction.

TEAM NEWS

Manchester United

Wayne Rooney (ankle) is believed to be a doubt for this game after sustaining an injury recently, while John O’Shea (calf) and Paul Scholes (groin) are both still some way from fitness. Antonio Valencia (ankle) remains a long-term absentee, and is expected to return only next month.

Nani missed the recent game against West Bromwich Albion owing to a hip injury, but is expected to be back in time for this encounter. Park Ji-Sung is unavailable as he is on international duty, playing for South Korea in the Asian Cup.

Possible starting line-up: Van der Sar; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Fletcher, Anderson, Carrick, Nani; Rooney, Berbatov.

Stoke City

Mamady Sidibe (Achilles) remains sidelined following the injury he sustained against Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the season. It had initially been thought that the 31-year-old forward could be out for the remainder of the campaign, but recent reports pointed towards an early return during the festive period. However, the former Mali international is yet to make his comeback.

Possible starting line-up: Begovic; Wilkinson, Shawcross, Huth, Collins; Pennant, Whitehead, Delap, Etherington; Walters, Jones.

Prediction

Manchester United have won nine and drawn one of their home games in the league, and look set to continue in a similar manner.

Man Utd. 2-1 Stoke

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04-01-2011 21:00 Blackpool - Birmingham City

How Things Have Changed...

Just a year ago Blackpool were favourites to be relegated from the Championship to League One. Now, after being favourites once again to be relegated, they are 11th in the Premier League with games in hand over their rivals.

Birmingham, on the other hand, were the surprise package in the Premier League last season, finishing ninth as well as going on a 12-match unbeaten run midway through the campaign. They looked set to continue their impressive top flight form this term but have failed to build on their early season results and now sit 19th in the table.

Away Day Blues

While Blackpool are one of the top teams in the division away from home, Birmingham are yet to win on the road. They have drawn five of their nine away games and have scored just nine goals in the process.

Blackpool have been labelled as the Premier League’s entertainers for their approach to games this season, but that couldn’t be further from the truth for Birmingham. The Blues’ rigid 4-5-1 formation is planned to make life difficult for opponents, which sets up for an interesting clash against Ian Holloway’s "you score four, we score five" side.

TEAM NEWS

Blackpool

The Seasiders may have to do without midfielder Elliot Grandin after he missed the loss to Manchester City at the weekend with a hamstring strain.

And Dave Carney will certainly miss out as he has now joined up with the Australia squad ahead of the Asian Cup.

Possible starting XI: Kingson; Eardley, Cathcart, Evatt, Crainey; Phillips, Adam, Vaughan; Taylor-Fletcher, Campbell, Varney.

Birmingham City

Alex McLeish has no new injury worries, so James McFadden remains Birmingham’s only player on the sidelines, with the Scottish international not expected back until March.

Alexander Hleb, who kicked up a fuss after the defeat to Arsenal on Saturday, is vying for a start ahead of Jean Beausejour.

Possible starting XI: Foster; Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell; Larsson, Gardner, Ferguson, Bowyer, Hleb; Jerome.

Prediction

Birmingham have been in poor form recently and struggle on the road. Blackpool, meanwhile, are terrific away from home but have only played six home games this term. The hosts should have enough to pour further misery on Alex McLeish’s men.

Blackpool 2-1 Birmingham

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04-01-2011 21:00 Fulham - West Bromwich Albion

It's A Tight League

With the Premier League table so tight, few points separate the teams in the middle of the table which gives every game its own importance.

Fulham now find themselves in the bottom three after losing to Tottenham at the weekend but if they manage a victory against West Brom they could move level on points with the west Midlands side, who currently lie in 14th.

Mark Hughes' side could move up to as high as 13th with a win which show the tight line between success and failure.

The Cottagers have had a mixed Christmas period after picking up their first away win of the season against Stoke and losing to London derbies to Tottenham and relegation rivals West Ham.

They will be hoping to make it two wins over the festive season against a side who have lost four league games on the bounce.

But West Brom's results do not do justice to their form as Roberto Di Matteo's men have performed well without getting results.

They really troubled the league leaders Manchester United on Saturday without getting reward for their efforts.

Their task at Craven Cottage does not get any easier as they are without a host of first-team defenders for the trip. Di Matteo's squad is down to the bare bones and if they don't halt their run of bad results soon they could find themselves in deep trouble.

Home Success

In the past few meetings between the two side the home side has triumphed on each occasion.

The Baggies won the corresponding fixture 2-1 at the Hawthorns back in October while Fulham triumphed 2-0 at the cottage back in 2009.

TEAM NEWS

Fulham

Mark Hughes will be without goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who is away on international duty representing Australia in the Asian Cup. David Stockdale will replace the Aussie in goal while academy graduate keeper Neil Etheridge will be on the bench.

Meanwhile, the Cottagers are still without Matthew Briggs (ankle), Fredrik Stoor (groin), Bobby Zamora (leg) and Philippe Senderos (calf).

Possible starting line-up: Stockdale; Baird, Hughes, Hangeland, Pantsil; Duff, Murphy, Etuhu, Davies; Dempsey, Johnson.

West Brom

Roberto Di Matteo will welcome back Gonzalo Jara after the defender served a one-match suspension in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

But that is where the good news ends for the Italian boss as Steven Reid (knee) and Pablo Ibanez (hamstring) have been ruled out for the trip to Craven Cottage.

Olsson is still ruled out with an achilles injury and Gabriel Tamas serves the second of his three match ban to add to the Baggies defensive woes.

Possible starting line-up: Carson; Zuiverloon, Scharner, Meite Shorey; Mulumbu, Dorrans, Morrison, Brunt, Thomas; Odemwingie.

Prediction

Neither side have enjoyed much success of late. Fulham are struggling to find the back of the net while West Brom just can’t seem to stop losing. A low-scoring draw is on the cards.

Fulham 1-1 West Bromwich

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