Friday, August 20, 2010

21.-21.-23. 08. 2010. Premier League Preview

Arsenal v Blackpool
  • Arsenal have kept six clean sheets and conceded only one goal in their last seven league games at the Emirates.
  • The last meeting between Arsenal and Blackpool was in the 1999-2000 FA Cup when Arsenal won 3-1 in a 3rd Round tie played before Christmas.
  • Arsenal have scored in the last 20 minutes in 14 of their last 15 games at the Emirates.
  • The last time Blackpool were in the top flight, the Gunners won both league encounters 1-0 en route to the league & cup double in 1970-71.
  • The Gunners are unbeaten in their last six matches against Blackpool in league and cup.
  • Blackpool have scored in each of their last 13 games (inc. playoff matches).

Birmingham City v Blackburn Rovers
  • The last eight meetings in all competitions between Blackburn and Birmingham have all ended as home wins.
  • Birmingham have scored eight goals against Blackburn in their last four league meetings, five of which have come from Cameron Jerome.
  • Birmingham are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League games at St Andrews.
  • There were only 32 goals scored at St Andrews in 2009-10, fewer than at any other Premier League ground last season.
  • Rovers have failed to score more than once in an away game since November 2009 and in that run of 13 games have scored only eight times.
  • Blackburn have kept three clean sheets in their last four Premier League away outings.

Everton v Wolverhampton Wanderers
  • The two meetings between Everton and Wolves last season ended as draws.
  • Wolves have only won four of their 38 Premier League away games, though all of these came last season.
  • The Toffees are unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League matches at Goodison Park, winning nine of the last 10.
  • Everton are unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions at home against Wolves.
  • Wolves last win away at Everton came in 1979 when Andy Gray netted on his debut for the Midlands side.
  • Wolves have lost only two of their last 11 Premier League games.

Stoke City v Tottenham Hotspur
  • Stoke have won only one of their last seven Premier League games at the Britannia Stadium.
  • Spurs have conceded a total of 10 goals in their last four Premier League away matches.
  • There have been three red cards and three penalties in the two Premier League meetings between Stoke and Spurs at the Britannia Stadium.
  • Five of the six Premier League goals Tottenham have scored against Stoke have come before the 47th minute.
  • Eight of Tottenham's last 12 league goals have come before half-time.
  • Eight of Stoke's last nine Premier League home games have been under 3.5 goals.

West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland
  • Sunderland have won just one of their last 18 Premier League away matches.
  • West Brom have kept only one clean sheet in their last eight home games at Premier League level, but that came in a 3-0 win over Sunderland.
  • The Baggies have failed to score in four of their last five Premier League games.
  • Sunderland have kept only one clean sheet in their last 11 league games.
  • Darren Bent has scored 15 opening goals in the Premier League since the start of last season.
  • The Baggies were undefeated in their final 10 home games in the Championship last season.

West Ham United v Bolton Wanderers
  • Bolton have won the last six meetings with West Ham in all competitions.
  • Kevin Davies has now scored eight goals in his last 10 appearances against West Ham in all competitions.
  • Bolton have failed to score in eight of their last 10 Premier League away games - they won both the other two by a 2-1 scoreline.
  • The Trotters have found the net in 15 consecutive meetings with West Ham in the Premier League.
  • The Hammers have never failed to score against Bolton at home in the Premier League (nine games).
  • West Ham have only failed to score in one of their last eight Premier League games at Upton Park.

Wigan Athletic v Chelsea
  • Wigan won this fixture last season, one of three home wins against ‘Big Four' opposition.
  • Chelsea have never failed to score in their five Premier League trips to the DW Stadium.
  • Wigan have conceded 24 goals in 10 league games against Chelsea.
  • Chelsea have scored 14 goals in their last two Premier League games, a divisional record.
  • Wigan have conceded an average of 4.25 goals per game in their last four league matches.
  • Chelsea have gone 406 minutes without conceding a league goal.
  • Didier Drogba can become the first Premier League player to hit hat-tricks in three successive games if he bags a treble in this match.

Fulham v Manchester United
  • None of the last 11 Premier League games between these sides have ended as a draw.
  • United have lost at Craven Cottage in each of the past two seasons, failing to score in each match.
  • Only two sides, Chelsea and Southampton, have ever won three consecutive home games against United in the Premier League.
  • Those defeats are the only two occasions United have failed to score against Fulham in the Premier League.
  • Fulham have scored in eight of their nine Premier League home games against Manchester United.
  • Wayne Rooney has not scored in any of his last 13 matches (includes internationals and Community Shield).

Newcastle United v Aston Villa
  • Aston Villa have won only two of 16 Premier League games at St James' Park.
  • Newcastle have averaged a goal per game in their last 15 Premier League clashes with Aston Villa.
  • Newcastle have not lost their opening match of the season at St James Park since 2004, conceding just one goal in five matches since.
  • Despite playing in 17 fewer games, over the last two seasons, Stephen Ireland (11) has scored more Premier League goals than James Milner (10).
  • Newcastle were the only side in the football league unbeaten at home last season.

Manchester City v Liverpool
  • Five of the last seven Premier League games between Manchester City and Liverpool have ended as draws.
  • Three of the last four clashes between City and Liverpool in Manchester have ended 0-0.
  • It is more than five years since City won a home league game against Liverpool.
  • The only draw at the City of Manchester Stadium in the league since November was when Liverpool visited in February (0-0).
  • The Citizens have kept a clean sheet in their opening home game of the season in the last five campaigns.
  • Since the start of the 08/09 season, Liverpool have taken more points in Premier League North-West derbies than any other side (60 from a possible 84).
  • The Reds won just one of their last nine away games in the Premier League last season (4-0 vs. Burnley).