Thursday, January 19, 2012
20.01. (Fri) 20:30 Borussia MG - Bayern Munchen
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| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
MONCHENGLADBACH  Ter Stegen Jantschke, Stranzl, Brouwers, Daems Herrmann, Neustadter, Ring, Arango Reus, Hanke | BAYERN MUNICH  Neuer Boateng, Van Buyten, Badstuber, Lahm Tymoshchuk, Schweinsteiger Robben, Kroos, Muller Gomez |
As the second round begins, Gladbach are largely unchanged and are expected to field a familiar starting XI. Striker Joshua King has returned to Manchester United from his loan spell, while young midfielders Alexander Ring and Tolga Cigerci have been brought in as reinforcements.
Ring especially impressed coach Lucien Favre, and may replace Havard Nordtveit in the starting line-up. Centre-back Dante is suspended for accumulated cautions, and is expected to be replaced by veteran Roel Brouwers.
The big news from Munich is that Bastian Schweinsteiger will make his long-awaited return following a fracture, sustained in November. The vice-captain had a knee problem earlier this week, but has since recovered and will be able to play from the start.
With Franck Ribery suspended due to a red card, Thomas Muller will likely start on the left wing, with Toni Kroos in the centre behind lone striker Mario Gomez. Anatoliy Tymoshchuk and Jerome Boateng are tipped to be in the first XI ahead of Luiz Gustavo and Rafinha, respectively.
| DID YOU KNOW |
Monchengladbach stars Marco Reus and Roman Neustadter confirmed their summer departures earlier this month.
- Lucien Favre's side have scored 25 goals and conceded just 11, the second-lowest figure in the Bundesliga.
- The recent first round marks Gladbach's best record in an autumn campaign since the season in which they won the Bundesliga title, in 1976-77.
- Bayern Munich have won three of their last seven games which come after a summer or winter break.
- Jupp Heynckes' men have the Bundesliga's best record of goals scored (43) and conceded (10)
- The Bavarians have not won away at the Borussia Park for six years.
Bayern have failed to beat far lesser Gladbach teams at the Borussia-Park in recent years, and Lucien Favre's side have done very well against top sides this season. After taking the spoils of the away leg, expect Gladbach to provide stiff resistance and perhaps earn a point.
Editor's Prediction
Mönchengladbach 1-1 Bayern 
La Liga Opta Facts - 21-22 Jan
Espanyol - Granada
• Espanyol have only once lost at home to Granada in Primera (in 1972 - W12 D3 L1).
• Granada have conceded the joint-highest proportion of goals from right-footed shots in the league this season (61%).
• Espanyol have conceded the highest proportion of goals from penalties in LigaBBVA this season (19%, 4/21).
• Granada are the lowest-scoring side in Liga BBVA (12 goals).
• The granadinos have conceded the most goals to shots outside the area in the league this season (8).
• There has been just one goalless draw in Espanyol's last 29 league games at home.
• Granada's strikers have scored the fewest goals in LigaBBVA this season (3).
• The Catalan side have lost just one of the eight league games which have been goalless at the break this season (W4 D2 L1).
• Espanyol are unbeaten in their last four league games (W2 D2), their best run since December 2010.
• 14 of Granada's 19 points in the league this season have come in their last nine games.
Levante - Real Zaragoza
• Levante have only managed to win one of their 12 games against Real Zaragoza in the top flight (W1 D5 L6).
• Zaragoza are on a run of 11 league games without a win (D2 L9), the worst run by a side in LigaBBVA this season.
• Only twice before (1942/43 and 1952/53) have Real Zaragoza had 11 points after 18 games in Primera (always assuming 3pts for a win): they were relegated on both occasions.
• Juan Ignacio Martínez's men have lost six of their last nine league games.
• Levante only failed to score in one of their first nine league games this season (17 goals), but have failed to score in five of nine since (8 goals).
• Only Barcelona (2) have conceded fewer league goals at home this season than Levante (5).
• Manolo Jímenez's men are, along with Atlético, the worst away side in LigaBBVA this season (2 pts) and have lost the last six on the road.
• Levante have won all eight league games in which they have opened the scoring this season.
• Real Zaragoza are, along with Sevilla, the only side who have failed to pick up a single point after their opponents' have scored first this season.
• The maños have conceded the most headed goals in the league this season (9).
Málaga - Barcelona
• Málaga were the last side to score five goals against Barcelona in the league (5-1 in December 2003): since then they have scored just four goals in 11 meetings.
• The boquerones are without a win in their last 11 league meetings with Barcelona (one draw), shipping an average 3.1 goals per game.
• The blanquiazules are unbeaten in their last four at home in the league (W2 D2).
• Málaga are without a win in five league games for the first time this season (D2 L3).
• Barcelona have already dropped as many points on the road this season as in the whole of 2010/11 (11).
• Barcelona have conceded the fewest goals in both the first (5) and second (6) halves of LigaBBVA games this season.
• The blanquiazules have had goals scored by players of seven different nationalities this season, more than any other LigaBBVA side.
• Málaga are the only side whose defenders are yet to score in the league this season.
• Eight of Barcelona's 12 away goals in the league this season have come in the first half.
• Since his time at Villarreal, Manuel Pellegrini has lost all four of his league meetings with the azulgrana.
• Lionel Messi has scored just one goal away from home in the league this season (vs Athletic), in 10/11 he scored 16.
Osasuna - Valencia
• Osasuna have lost just one of their last seven league games at home to Valencia (W3 D3 L1).
• Osasuna have not beaten Valencia by more than a single goal in the league since 1985/86.
• Valencia have lost just two of their last 10 league meetings with Osasuna (W5 D3 L2).
• Osasuna have failed to score in five of their last 10 league meetings with Valencia.
• Valencia have scored three goals in three of their last four league meetings with Osasuna.
• Last time out against Racing, Mendilibar's men lost at home in the league for the first time this season.
• Unai Emery's men are the only side yet to draw 0-0 in the league this season.
• Valencia have won the most league games by a single goal margin this season (7).
• Last time out against Real Sociedad, Valencia failed to score for the first time in 13 games since facing Sevilla.
• Osasuna are the only side whose substitutes are yet to score in LigaBBVA this season.
• 67% of Osasuna's league goals this season have come in the first half, the highest % in LigaBBVA.
Racing - Getafe
• Racing have never scored more than twice against Getafe in Primera (14 games).
• Both sides have won six times in this clash in the top-flight, with two draws between Racing and Getafe.
• Racing are without a win in their last three league games at home to the azulones (D1 L2).
• Racing's coach Juanjo González is yet to lose in Primera, winning three and drawing two games so far.
• The cántabros are on a run of three league games without conceding.
• There has been a red card in each of the last three league meetings between Racing and Getafe.
• Only Real Madrid (9) have taken more points from matches after conceding first in LigaBBVA this season than Getafe (8).
• Racing have won all four of the league games in which they have scored first this season.
• The side from Santander are the only team yet to concede a goal from outside the area in the league this season.
• Since Miku scored against Sporting, no Getafe striker has scored in any of their last six league matches.
Rayo Vallecano - Mallorca
• Rayo Vallecano have only won one of their 10 meetings with Mallorca in the top flight (D3 L6).
• The islanders have scored on nine of the 10 occasions that they have faced Rayo in the league.
• Rayo are just one win away from winning three consecutive top-flight games for the first time since 2001/02.
• Mallorca have won just one of their last 14 league games on the road (D6 L7).
• Joaquín Caparrós' men are without a win in their last three league games.
• Rayo have picked up the second-fewest points at home in LigaBBVA this season (10).
• Only Real Madrid have won more penalties in the league this season than Mallorca: five, all of them scored by Hemed.
• The bermellones have scored the joint-fewest second-half goals in the league this season (6).
• Against Granada, Piti scored Zaragoza's first goal from outside the area in open play this season.
Real Betis - Sevilla
• Real Betis won the last league meeting with Sevilla in 2008/09, but ended the season relegated.
• Prior to Betis' win in the last meeting between the sides, the verdolagas had gone five games without a win against Sevilla (D2 L3), failing to score in four.
• Sevilla are without a win in four league matches, losing three.
• The nervionenses have conceded the fewest away goals in the league this season (5) but have scored the second-fewest (4) on the road, after Villarreal (3).
• Real Betis have scored exactly twice in each of their last four league games.
• Roque Santa Cruz has scored in his last three league games.
• The verdiblancos have conceded the joint-most goals in the last 15 minutes of league games this season (9).
• Sevilla and Real Zaragoza are the only two sides yet to pick up a single point after conceding the first goal in LigaBBVA this season.
• Betis have won all six games in which they have opened the scoring in the league this season.
• Velasco Carballo has shown the most red cards to away sides in LigaBBVA this season (four).
Real Madrid - Athletic Bilbao
• Real Madrid have won 11 of their last 12 league meetings with the Lions, losing the other (0-1 in 09/10).
• The blancos have won 13 of their last 14 league games, averaging 3.8 goals per game and conceding just one per game.
• Real Madrid's biggest-ever league defeat at home came against Athletic (0-6 in 1930/31).
• Two of Real Madrid's three best starts to a La Liga campaign after 18 games have been with José Mourinho as manager (47pts in 10/11 and 46 this season).
• Real Madrid have won their last two league games at home to the Basque side by the same scoreline: 5-1.
• Marcelo Bielsa's side are unbeaten in their last six away league games (W2 D4), their best run since March 1997.
• Real Madrid have won the most games after going behind in the league this season (three).
• The rojiblancos have scored the most headed goals in the league this season (nine).
• Higuaín has scored in five of the six league games in which Callejón has come on as a sub, while the blancos have not lost a game with both playing this season (W7 D1).
• Since his debut in 2005, Athletic have won 39% of league games with Llorente starting, compared to 26% without him.
Real Sociedad - Atlético de Madrid
• Real Sociedad have won just two of their last seven league meetings with Atlético (D1 L4).
• The donostierras have won 11 of their last 14 top-flight games at home to Atlético (D2 L1).
• Last season was only the second time ever (after 57/58) that Atlético had managed to win at both Real Sociedad (4-2) and Athletic (2-1) in the same season in the league.
• The 4-2 win at Real Sociedad last season ended a run of seven consecutive defeats at Anoeta for Atlético, their poorest run at a single side after eight games against Barcelona between 45/46 and 52/53.
• Erreala are unbeaten in their last seven league games (W3 D4), their best run since the 2002/03 season (22 games).
• The txuri-urdin have failed to score in four of their last five league games at home (W1, D3 L1).
• Three of the last five league matches at Anoeta have ended goalless.
• Atlético are without a win in eight consecutive away games in Primera (D2 L6), their poorest run on the road is 20 games in between 74/75 and 75/76.
• Nine of Radamel Falcao's 11 league goals this season have come at home.
• Imanol Agirretxe has scored the joint-most headed goals in the league this season (four).
Villarreal - Sporting
• The yellow submarine has never lost at home to Sporting in LigaBBVA (W2 D1).
• There has never been a goalless draw between Villarreal and Sporting in the top flight.
• Gálvez' goal for Sporting last time out was the first time a defender had scored for them in the league this season.
• Villarreal are yet to win in two games under their new coach, Molina.
• Villarreal and Sporting have scored the joint-fewest headed goals in the league this season (2 each).
• Villarreal have scored the fewest goals in the last 15 minutes of LigaBBVA matches this season (1 goal).
• Sporting's midfielders are, along with Sevilla's, the lowest scoring in the league this season (2 goals).
• 78% of Sporting's league goals this season have been scored by their strikers (14 total) the highest proportion in the top flight.
• Villarreal have conceded the most goals to opposition midfielders in the league this season (12).
Preview Matches | by
0Championship Opta Facts - 21st-23rd January
Barnsley v Millwall
Only one of the last eight clashes between the Tykes and the Lions have been won by the away team, with the visitors failing even to score in each of the last three.
Millwall are without a win in four at Oakwell (D1 L3), with their last victory there coming way back in May 1994.
Barnsley are the only Championship side to have scored more first-half goals (20) than second-half goals (17) this season.
Millwall have been ahead in fewer games than any other second tier side this campaign (9).
The Lions have only scored one goal in their last seven league games combined.
Barnsley have gone nine games without a clean sheet, the longest current run of its kind in the Championship.
Birmingham v Watford
There were three goals in the final 10 minutes of the reverse fixture between Birmingham and Watford this season, a game that finished 2-2.
Watford have lost their last four trips to St Andrews (excl. penalties), including their last two 2-3.
Birmingham are yet to lose at St Andrews in the league this season and are the only unbeaten home team in the Championship.
The Hornets have only won two of their last nine league games.
Watford have won just twice this season on the road and only four sides have picked up fewer points away from home than they have (11).
Blackpool v Crystal Palace
Blackpool defender Alex Baptiste has netted in two of the last three clashes between the Tangerines and the Eagles.
Palace are without a win in eight league trips to the home of Blackpool, with their last win in the league at Bloomfield Road coming in October 1924.
Blackpool have netted just 2% of their goals in the opening 15 minutes this season, a league-low.
24% of the goals the Eagles have scored have come in the first quarter-hour, a league-high proportion.
Crystal Palace have not been able to score more than one goal in any of their last 15 Championship games.
Bristol City v Doncaster
Rovers have only won one of their last 10 trips to Ashton Gate, but that was a 5-2 drubbing in March 2010.
Only two of the last 14 meetings between City and Doncaster have been won by the visitors.
Bristol City are the only side in the second tier yet to net from a corner this term.
City haven't scored a first-half goal in any of their last seven league games.
Doncaster Rovers haven't a clean sheet away from home in the Championship all season.
Burnley v Derby
Burnley have won four and drawn one of their last five meetings with the Rams.
Theo Robinson has netted for Derby in their last two encounters with the Clarets, but has ended up on the losing side on both occasions.
The Clarets have netted a league-high nine goals from corners this season.
Just 15% of the goals Burnley have conceded this season have come from set pieces, a league-low.
Derby are the only team in the Championship yet to score in the closing 15 minutes of a game this season.
Should Derby win this match, they'll set the longest winning run in the Championship this season (five games).
Cardiff v Portsmouth
Portsmouth's last two goals against Cardiff have been scored by Kanu, with one of them being the winning goal in the 2008 FA Cup final.
The Bluebirds have remained unbeaten against Pompey in the three clashes between the sides in all competitions since that FA Cup showdown.
Portsmouth have scored a league-high 41% of their goals from set pieces this campaign.
Cardiff have only lost one of their last 14 league games, a 2-3 defeat at home to promotion rivals Middlesbrough in December.
The Bluebirds have won five of their last six at the Cardiff City Stadium, losing the other.
Coventry v Middlesbrough
None of the last nine clashes between the Sky Blues and 'Boro have been won by the away side, with the home side winning four and five ending in draws.
New 'Boro signing Lucas Jutkiewicz has netted in the last two meetings between these sides, but those goals came during his spell at former club Coventry.
Having won just two of their opening 11 league games at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry have won their last two in a row.
The Sky Blues have also kept clean sheets in their last two home games, but those have been their only two shutouts in their last 15 in the league.
Middlesbrough have lost their last two league games without finding the net.
Leeds v Ipswich
Ipswich are unbeaten in four trips to Elland Road, though three of them have finished in draws.
Overall, the Tractor Boys are unbeaten in nine against Leeds, winning five and drawing four.
Leeds have scored a league-high eight goals from free kick situations this season.
Ipswich have lost 18 points from winning positions this campaign, the most of all second-tier sides.
Leeds' last eight league goals have been scored in the final half-hour of games.
Ipswich are without a win in five league games, the longest current run of its kind in the Championship.
Peterborough v Brighton
Brighton have won their last three against the Posh, netting eight and conceding just one.
The Seagulls are also unbeaten in eight trips to London Road in all competitions, with their last defeat there coming in August 1995.
Posh have gained a league-high 17 points from losing scenarios this term.
The Seagulls have lost their last three away league games, failing even to find the net.
There have only been seven goals scored in the last five league games involving Peterborough; the previous five had seen 18.
Reading v Hull
Both sides have found the net in eight of the last nine clashes between the Royals and the Tigers.
Hull have netted exactly one goal in each of their last eight encounters with Reading.
Only 7.4% of Hull's goals have come from set pieces this campaign, a league-low.
The Royals have scored a league-high 79% of their goals in the second-half.
Reading have won their last four home league games.
It has now been 15 league games since Hull's last draw.
West Ham v Nottingham Forest
The Hammers have won their last three clashes with Forest, netting 10 goals in the process.
Three of the last four clashes between the sides at Upton Park have finished in 3-2 wins for the East Londoners.
A league-high 22% of the goals the Hammers have conceded this season have come from corners.
The Hammers have scored exactly once in each of their last five league games.
Forest have failed to score in eight of their last nine league games.
Southampton v Leicester
None of the last eight meetings between the Saints (six wins) and the Foxes (two wins) have ended in draws.
Leicester are without a win in seven trips to the home of Southampton in all competitions, failing even to score in six of those trips (including their last five).
Indeed, Leicester have endured 515 minutes of football since they last scored an away goal at Southampton.
The Foxes have found the net at least once in each of their last 10 league games.
Southampton have only won two of their last seven league games, drawing two and losing three.
Premier League Opta Facts – January 21st-22nd
Norwich City v Chelsea
Chelsea have won the last five meetings with Norwich in all competitions scoring at least three goals in each game.
There have been exactly four goals scored in each of those last five meetings.
The Canaries haven't kept a clean sheet in their 10 Premier League games at Carrow Road this season.
Chelsea have won five of their last 12 Premier League away games (W5 D3 L4).
Frank Lampard's last four league goals have all turned draws into wins by a single-goal margin.
41% of the goals Norwich have scored have been headers, the highest proportion in the top flight.
Norwich have also conceded the lowest percentage of goals from headers (11%).
Chelsea have picked up the most cards in the Premier League this season (48 yellow, three reds).
Chelsea have won the joint-highest proportion of aerial duels in the Premier League (58%).
The Blues have lost just one of their last nine Premier League matches (W5 D3 L1).
Chelsea have drawn 99 Premier League away games.
Everton v Blackburn Rovers
Everton have won four of their last five Premier League games against Rovers.
The Toffees have scored a penalty in three of their last four Premier League games against Rovers.
Blackburn have failed to score in four of their last six Premier League games against the Toffees.
There has been a 90th minute winner scored in three of the last seven league meetings between Everton and Blackburn.
Everton have won only two of their last seven Premier League matches at Goodison Park (W2 D1 L4) and scored just five goals in that run.
Rovers' victory over Man Utd last time out ended a run of nine Premier League games on the road without a win (D5 L4).
Blackburn have scored in their last 12 Premier League away games since their last blank which came at Goodison Park in April 2011.
Rovers have kept just one clean sheet in their last 29 Premier League away games.
Victor Anichebe has scored in his two appearances as a substitute this season.
Blackburn have dropped the most points from winning positions in the Premier League this season (14).
Fulham v Newcastle United
The last five matches between Fulham and Newcastle at Craven Cottage have been won by a single-goal margin.
Fulham have won three of their last four Premier League home matches and three of those games have been played against teams in the top seven of the table.
Newcastle have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight Premier League away trips.
The Magpies have conceded 52% of their goals from set pieces, the highest percentage in the top division.
Newcastle have kept three clean sheets in their last four Premier League matches.
Half of Newcastle's 30 Premier League goals have been scored by Demba Ba who will miss this match as he is at the African Cup of Nations.
After seeing his Spurs side win the first two games against Newcastle, Martin Jol suffered four straight defeats against the Magpies as Tottenham manager in the Premier League.
Jol was sacked as Tottenham boss after defeat to Newcastle in October 2007.
Fulham have drawn 49 games 0-0 in Premier League history.
Newcastle have won just one of their last five Premier League away games in London (W1 D2 L2).
Queens Park Rangers v Wigan Athletic
There have only been six goals scored over the last five meetings between Wigan and QPR.
Rangers have failed to score in three of the last four matches against the Latics.
Wigan and QPR have met seven times in the past with two wins each and three draws.
QPR have taken just one point from the last 15 available in the Premier League at Loftus Road.
Wigan have gone nine away games without a clean sheet but have lost just one of their last four away matches (W2 D1 L1).
QPR have dropped more points from winning positions at home than any other Premier League side (10).
Wigan have recovered the most points from losing positions away from home this season (7).
39% of the goals Wigan have scored have come from outside the box, a higher percentage than any other team.
Wigan have netted the highest proportion of goals of any team in the 15 minutes leading up to half-time (44%).
The Latics have conceded 273 fouls this season, more than any other team in the Premier League, while QPR (266) have been fouled more often than any other team.
Stoke City v West Bromwich Albion
Stoke City scored from their only shot on target when they beat West Brom 1-0 at the Hawthorns back in August.
Stoke have won eight and lost none of their last 10 league meetings with the Baggies.
Five of the nine goals scored in the last five meetings between Stoke and West Brom have been netted in the last 10 minutes of the match.
Stoke have won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six Premier League home games.
West Brom have kept just one clean sheet in their last 29 Premier League away matches.
60% of the goals West Brom have scored have come in the first half, the highest proportion of any team in the league.
Stoke have conceded the highest percentage of goals in the first half in the Premier League (55%).
The Potters have scored the highest percentage of goals from set pieces in the top flight (55%).
Stoke have the worst shooting accuracy in the Premier League hitting the target with just 34% of their efforts.
Tony Pulis' side have won the joint-highest proportion of aerial duels in the Premier League (58%).
Sunderland v Swansea City
Swansea are unbeaten in the last seven games against Sunderland winning four and drawing three. The Wearsiders last win against the Swans came in April 1964.
Sunderland have lost just one of their last eight matches at the Stadium of Light (W3 D4 L1).
Swansea have failed to score in half of their 10 Premier League away games.
Swansea have lost just one of their last seven Premier League matches (W3 D3 L1).
33% of the goals Sunderland have conceded have been headers, the highest proportion in the top flight.
Angel Rangel has averaged more touches per 90 minutes (97) than any other player in the Premier League.
Swansea's woodwork has been struck 14 times, more often than any other team.
Nathan Dyer has scored in his last three appearances for Swansea in all competitions, including his last two away games.
Ashley Williams has blocked more opposition shots than any other player in the Premier League (28).
Only Wigan (39%) have scored a higher proportion of goals from outside the box than Sunderland (30%) and half of those netted by the Black Cats have been direct free kicks.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Aston Villa
Only one of the seven Premier League meetings between Wolves and Villa has ended as a home win and that was the very first encounter.
Matt Jarvis scored in both games against Villa last season.
Wolves have gone nine Premier League games at Molineux without a clean sheet.
Aston Villa are unbeaten in their last four Premier League games away from home (W2 D2).
Steven Fletcher has scored seven goals in his last nine Premier League starts.
Aston Villa have won just one of their last six Premier League matches (W1 D2 L3).
Wolves have recouped 10 points from losing positions this season, more than any other Premier League team.
Wolves are the only team in the Premier League without a goal from outside the box this season.
Wayne Hennessey has made a save every 18 minutes this season, more often than any other goalkeeper.
Wolves have allowed the opposition more shots on target against them than any other Premier League side (149).
Bolton Wanderers v Liverpool
Liverpool have won the last 10 Premier League games in a row against Bolton.
Bolton have won just one of their last 12 Premier League matches at the Reebok Stadium (W1 D1 L10).
The Trotters have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 matches on home soil.
Liverpool have failed to score in three of their last four Premier League away games.
Since beating Fulham 5-2 last May, Liverpool have played 11 away games in the Premier League scoring two goals in five games and failing to score in six.
Stewart Downing has fired in more shots without a goal than any other Premier League player this season (47).
Bolton have hit the target with a higher percentage of shots than any other team in the top flight (55%).
Liverpool have scored with just 8% of their attempts at goal, a lower proportion than any other team in the top flight.
The Reds have missed three of the four penalties that they have taken this season in the Premier League.
Liverpool have won more corners than any other team in the Premier League (188).
Liverpool have drawn 99 Premier League away games.
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester City have only won five of the 29 Premier League games against Tottenham, but have triumphed in the last two meetings (W5 D5 L19).
City scored more goals at White Hart Lane in August (5) than they had managed against Spurs in the previous six games put together (3).
Man City have taken 58 points from a possible 60 in their last 20 Premier League games on home soil and won the last 15 in a row.
Roberto Mancini's side have conceded just six goals in their last 17 home league games and never more than once in a game in that run.
Tottenham have lost just one of their last nine Premier League away matches (W6 D2 L1).
Spurs have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight Premier League away games.
Man City have lost their last two home matches; they haven't lost three on the trot at home in all competitions since March 2007.
Just 5% of the goals Spurs have scored have been headers, the lowest proportion in the top division.
Samir Nasri has created a scoring chance for team-mates every 24 minutes, a more regular rate than any other player.
Gareth Bale has assisted seven goals in the Premier League this season; more than in his previous four Premier League seasons put together (6).
Arsenal v Manchester United
Arsenal allowed Manchester United 14 shots on target against them in their 2-8 defeat back in August, the joint-most they have allowed in a Premier League game in the last five years.
Wayne Rooney has scored six goals in his last six appearances against Arsenal in all competitions and has also missed a penalty in that time.
Rooney scored his first Premier League goal, his first Premier League goal for Man Utd, his 100th Premier League goal and his 150th goal for Man Utd in all competitions against Arsenal.
Man Utd have won seven and lost one of their last nine matches against Arsenal in all competitions.
Arsenal have won three and lost only one of the five league meetings with Manchester United at the Emirates, although the Red Devils also won their meeting there in the Champions League too.
Thierry Henry scored seven goals in eight home appearances against Manchester United.
Henry's last goal at the Emirates in the Premier League was a last-minute winner against the Red Devils.
Arsenal have only scored more than once in four of their last 16 Premier League games at the Emirates and netted just 20 in total over those matches.
The Gunners have won none of their last 10 Premier League games with Mike Dean as the referee (W0 D5 L5).
Arsenal have dropped eight points from winning positions in their last four Premier League matches.
Man Utd have gained just one point from behind this season, fewer than any other team.
Preview Matches | by
0SPL Opta Facts - 21st January
St Mirren v Celtic
Celtic's biggest SPL defeat since November 2000 came at St Mirren - 0-4 in March 2010.
Aside from the 4-0 defeat in March 2010, Celtic have won 18 of their 19 SPL meetings with St Mirren, drawing the other.
The Bhoys have kept a clean sheet in their last five league clashes with the Saints.
Gary Hooper has scored six goals in four SPL meetings with the Saints, including a hat-trick earlier this season.
Celtic are on a run of 11 straight league wins, their best run within a single season since November 2008.
The Hoops have conceded just five goals in their last 13 league games combined, and never more than once in a game in this run.
St Mirren have won only one of their last eight league games.
Celtic have scored 12 goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches this season, twice as many as any other side.
Dundee United v Motherwell
None of the last eight league meetings between United and Motherwell at Tannadice have ended in a draw (W5 L3).
The Tangerines have kept a clean sheet in six of their last nine SPL matches at home to Motherwell.
Jon Daly has scored more goals against Motherwell (7) than any other side in the SPL.
Daly has scored four goals in Dundee United's last four league games.
United have lost their last two league games, they have not lost three in a row since May 2009.
Only Hibs (1) and Dunfermline (0) have won fewer SPL games at home this season than United (3).
Motherwell are on a run of three straight league defeats: they have not lost four in a row since April 2010.
The Steelmen have won every away match in which they have scored in the league this season (7).
United have come from behind to claim the most points in the SPL this season (12).
Hibernian v St Johnstone
Hibs have won just one of their last eight league meetings with St Johnstone, conceding 16 goals.
Liam Craig has scored seven SPL goals against Hibernian, four more than against any other side (Dundee United, three).
The Saints have only won on one of their last nine league visits to Easter Road.
Since the end of February last year, Hibernian have won only one of their last 16 SPL games at home (W1 D6 L9), their poorest-ever run in the competition.
A win at Dunfermline last time out ended a run of nine league games without a win for Hibs.
The Saints are unbeaten in their last five league games on the road (W3 D2).
St Johnstone's only away defeat in the SPL this season came at Easter Road (2-3 in September).
Hibs and St Johnstone are two of the three sides (with Kilmarnock) who are yet to have a player sent off in the SPL this season.
Inverness CT v Hearts
Caley Thistle are without a win in their last 10 league meetings with Hearts (D3 L7).
Stephen Elliot has scored in Hearts' last two league visits to Inverness.
Hearts have only lost on one of their 10 SPL visits to Inverness (W1 D5 L4).
Last time out at Motherwell, Caley Thistle kept their first clean sheet of the season in the SPL (1-0).
Inverness are yet to keep a clean sheet at home in the league this season.
Inverness are unbeaten in three in the league (W2 D1), their best run of the season.
Hearts have won four and drawn one of their five league matches since 16th December.
Only Kilmarnock (1) have won fewer away games in the SPL this season than the Jambos (2).
Hearts have dropped the joint-fewest points from winning positions in the league this season (2).
Kilmarnock v Dunfermline
Killie have won seven of their last nine SPL meetings with the Pars (W7 D1 L1).
Kilmarnock have scored in their last 18 league meetings with Dunfermline.
Dunfermline have never won at Rugby Park in the SPL (D8 L9).
Killie are unbeaten in their last four at home in the league (W3 D1).
Dunfermline have taken just one point from their last eight league games.
The Pars have conceded at least twice in each of their last eight matches in the SPL (22 goals in total).
No side has conceded more headed goals in the league this season than Kilmarnock (9).
Dunfermline have scored the highest proportion of their goals in the second half in the league this season (16/22, 73%).
Rangers v Aberdeen
Rangers have won their last six league meetings with Aberdeen.
The Gers are unbeaten at home to Aberdeen in the SPL (W21 D3).
Aberdeen have never scored more than once in an SPL match at Ibrox (eight goals in 24 games).
Rangers are unbeaten in their last 15 league games at home (W11 D4).
Aberdeen have kept just one clean sheet in their last 16 league games on the road (W3 D3 L10).
The Dons have received six red cards this season, two more than any other SPL side.
Rangers have scored the joint-most headers in the league this season (8).
Rangers have scored only two goals from outside the box in the league this season, fewer than any other side in the SPL.
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