Friday, October 1, 2010

02.-03.10. 2010. Premier League Preview

Birmingham City v Everton
Five of the last seven meetings between Birmingham and Everton have ended as draws, including the last three in a row.
Birmingham have only won one of their 12 Premier League meetings with Everton.
In his last 11 Premier League games officiating Birmingham City, Phil Dowd has awarded seven penalties against them.
Birmingham are unbeaten in their last 18 Premier League matches at St Andrews.
Birmingham have only won two of their last 16 Premier League matches.
There have been only three goals scored at St Andrews this season, fewer than at any other Premier League stadium this season.
Birmingham have averaged only 3.2 corners per game this season, fewer than any other side.


Liverpool v Blackpool
There has only been one home win in the last 12 meetings between Blackpool and Liverpool.
Liverpool and Blackpool have not met in any competition since 1971.
This is Liverpool's worst ever start to a Premier League season with just six points and -3 goal difference.
Only in seven top-flight seasons all-time have Liverpool gained fewer points after six games than this season (based on three points for a win), with it last happening in 1953-54.
In three of those seven worse seasons after six games Liverpool were eventually relegated.
Blackpool have conceded more away goals than any other Premier League team this season (10) but only Chelsea have picked up as many points (6) as the Seasiders.


Stoke City v Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn have failed to score in their last three league matches against Stoke.
Stoke City have failed to score in four of their last six league meetings with Rovers.
Howard Webb has given three reds cards to Blackburn players in the Premier League, more than against any other club.
89% of the goals Stoke have conceded this season in the league have been netted in the first half, a higher proportion than any other side in the division.
Kenwyne Jones has produced a shot every 20.9 minutes this season, the third most regular rate in the division.
No Premier League team picked up more points in September than Stoke, seven.
Rovers have won only one of their last 13 Premier League away games in October.


Sunderland v Manchester United
Manchester United have lost none of their last 16 Premier League matches against Sunderland.
Manchester United have won six of their last seven away Premier League games at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats have only lost one of their last 13 Premier League home matches and that was to Manchester United.
Darren Bent has scored eight goals in 10 games against the ‘big four' sides in the Premier League for Sunderland.
This is the first time in Sunderland's Premier League history that the Black Cats have lost only one of their opening six matches.
Only in one Premier League season (2001-02) have Manchester United conceded more goals (10) in their first six games than this season (9).


Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa
Six of the last 10 Premier League matches between Spurs and Villa have ended as draws.
75% of the goals Villa have scored have been netted in the first half, the highest proportion in the top flight.
Mark Clattenburg awarded a penalty for the opposition on both occasions that he refereed Aston Villa away from home last season.
After six Premier League games last season Tottenham had scored twice as many goals (12) and conceded twice as many too (10).
Villa have failed to score in only three of their last 23 league games in October.
Spurs have won only two of their last 13 Premier League games in October.


West Bromwich Albion v Bolton Wanderers
Six of the eight Premier League meetings between West Brom and Bolton have ended as draws.
This is West Brom's best ever start to a Premier League season, but the season they started with their worst-ever opening (4 points after 6 games) is the only one where they survived.
Peter Walton has awarded four penalty kicks against Bolton Wanderers over the last four occasions that he has refereed them in the Premier League.
West Brom were one of three teams to take a league-high seven points in September, along with Stoke and Manchester City.
WBA have scored only nine goals in 15 Premier League games in October.
Bolton have kept only one clean sheet in their last 12 league games in October.


West Ham United v Fulham
Fulham have only won two of the 14 Premier League meetings with West Ham, their first and last.
Carlton Cole has scored in each of his last four Premier League matches against Fulham.
All four of West Ham's goals this season have come from set pieces.
Victor Obinna has had more shots in the Premier League without scoring than any other player in the division, 13.
Fulham are one of only two unbeaten teams left in the Premier League this season.
Fulham are only the second team in Premier League history (after Ipswich in 1992-93) to draw five of their first six games.
Fulham have won only three of 41 Premier League London derbies away from home.


Chelsea v Arsenal
Didier Drogba has scored 12 goals in his last 10 appearances in all competitions against Arsenal.
The Gunners have only been able to win two of their last 17 matches against Chelsea.
Arsenal have won more times away at Chelsea (6) than any other team in the Premier League era.
Nicolas Anelka has scored seven goals in his last 11 Premier League starts against Arsenal.
Arsenal's recent record against Chelsea and Manchester United since their win at Stamford Bridge in November 2008: P9 W0 D1 L8 F5 A20.
Mike Dean has awarded five penalties in the last seven games that he has taken charge of a Chelsea match in the Premier League.


Manchester City v Newcastle United
City are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games against Newcastle winning five of those games.
Should they win this match, Newcastle United will pick up their 250th victory in the Premier League.
City have equalled their best ever defensive performance (two goals conceded) after six Premier League games, matching (2007-08)
Manchester City have never lost a Premier League game in October at home to a non Big-Four side.
Newcastle have won only one Premier League away game in October since 2003.


Wigan Athletic v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Both meetings between Wigan and Wolves last season ended as away wins with the home side not scoring.
Wigan have converted just 3% of their shots into goals this season, a lower percentage than any other side.
Wolves have committed the highest number of fouls (100) in the Premier League this season.
This is Wigan's worst start to a Premier League campaign after six matches.
Wolves were the only Premier League side not to pick up a single point in September.
All three of Wolves' Premier League away games in October have ended as draws.
Wigan have not kept a clean sheet in October since 2006, a run of 11 games.