Monday, March 19, 2012

Premier League Opta Facts - 20th & 21st March


Blackburn Rovers v Sunderland

Sunderland have drawn 99 games in the Premier League era.

The Black Cats have won four and lost none of the last seven meetings with Rovers in the Premier League.

Blackburn have not kept any clean sheets in their last 15 Premier League games at Ewood Park.

Blackburn haven't won back to back league games since November 2010.

Sunderland have kept one clean sheet in their last nine Premier League away games.

Blackburn have conceded more headed goals than any other team in the Premier League (12).

Sunderland have conceded a league-high proportion of headed goals (32%) in the top flight.

The Black Cats have shipped a league high proportion of 19% of their total goals conceded in the opening 15 minutes of matches.

Blackburn have scored nine goals from free kicks this season, more than any other side in the Premier League.

Sunderland have scored more goals from direct free kick shots at goal than any other team (4).


Manchester City v Chelsea

Frank Lampard has scored six goals in his last 10 Premier League games against Man City.

Carlos Tevez has scored in each of his last five Premier League appearances against Chelsea, netting six in total across those games.

Man City have failed to score in 13 of their last 19 Premier League games against Chelsea, but have scored in four of the last five.

There have been four penalties awarded in the last five meetings between City and Chelsea.

Manchester City have won their last 19 Premier League home games and could set the record for the competition's longest ever run of home victories if they win this match.

Chelsea have only won one of their last seven Premier League away games (W1 D4 L2).

80% of the goals conceded by Man City have been netted in the second half this season, more than any other team.

Roberto Mancini's side have only lost one league game after going ahead this season and that was against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Mario Balotelli has the best minutes per goal scored rate in the top flight this season, netting every 90.3 minutes on average.

Juan Mata is the most prolific creator in the top flight setting up a chance for team-mates every 23.7 minutes on average.


Tottenham Hotspur v Stoke City

Tottenham have drawn 99 games at White Hart Lane in the Premier League era.

Matthew Etherington has scored four goals in his last four Premier League appearances against Spurs.

Spurs have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their seven Premier League meetings with Stoke City.

Stoke have already earned more points away from home (14) this season than they managed in the whole of 2010-11 (12).

Despite losing their last three Premier League games, Spurs still have more points (after 28 games) than in any previous Premier League season.

Spurs haven't lost four Premier League games in a row since November 2004 and haven't lost back to back home games since September 2008.

Stoke have scored a league high 37% of their goals from headers.

Tottenham have netted a league-low proportion of 4% of their goals from headers.

The Potters have conceded a league-high 54% of their goals in the first half of games this season.

Stoke have scored the highest proportion of set piece goals in the Premier League (59%).



Everton v Arsenal

Everton didn't manage a single shot on target when they lost at the Emirates Stadium back in December.

Four of Arsenal's six Premier League away victories this season have seen the Gunners come from behind to win.

Arsenal have recovered more points from losing positions than any other team in the Premier League this season (19).

The Gunners are the first team in the Premier League era to win four consecutive games from losing positions.

Arsenal have scored more goals (80) against Everton than any team against any single opponent in Premier League history.

Everton have conceded in the 70th minute of four of their last seven games against the Gunners, including each of the last two.

Everton have won none and lost seven of their last nine Premier League games against Arsenal.

Lee Mason will officiate this fixture and awarded a controversial offside goal to Everton's Louis Saha when these two sides met at the Emirates last season.

Tim Cahill has scored for Everton in three of the last four games against Arsenal at Goodison Park.

Robin van Persie has scored 44 goals in his last 45 Premier League appearances.


Queens Park Rangers v Liverpool

Liverpool have drawn 99 games away from home in the Premier League era.

The Reds have netted 496 goals on the road in Premier League history.

QPR have won one of the last 11 league games against Liverpool (W1 D2 L8).

No team with fewer than 12 points after 14 Premier League home games has ever survived in the Premier League (QPR have 11).

QPR have dropped more points (15) from winning positions than any other team and 13 of those have been thrown away on home soil; also a division-high.

55% of the goals QPR have scored have come in the first half, a Premier League high.

Adel Taarabt has fired in the most shots this season without scoring in the Premier League (63) closely followed by team-mate Shaun Wright-Phillips (58) and then Stewart Downing of Liverpool (52).

Liverpool have won just two of their nine Premier League games in 2012.

QPR have won just one of their last 16 Premier League matches, a run which includes a 0-1 defeat to Liverpool.

QPR have picked up the joint-most red cards (5) along with Bolton.