A statistical preview to this weekend's Premier League games, including Everton v Liverpool and Manchester City v Tottenham
All the key facts and figures before this weekend's matches
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Your support makes all the difference.Providers of the largest online database for detailed football statistics WhoScored.com preview all of the matches in gameweek 12 of the Premier League.
Everton vs Liverpool
This fixture last season was somewhat of a trend breaker having been the first draw at Goodison Park between the two rivals since 2000 and also the first time the game saw both teams register on the scoresheet in 6 encounters at Everton. The Toffees have kept back to back clean sheets but will do well to keep out a Liverpool side that have scored 16 in 6 league games since Suarez's return, with the Uruguayan netting in 3 of his 4 Merseyside derby appearances.
Arsenal vs Southampton
The Gunners may be top of the league but such has been Southampton's superb start to the current campaign that if Liverpool fail to win the derby in the early kick-off, a win at the Emirates could see Saints top. Pochettino's side would need to win by two clear goals to do so but can take confidence from the fact that they are the only side in the league yet to concede more than once in a game this season. However, they may struggle to keep out an Arsenal side with both the best shot accuracy (43.1%) and conversion rate (14.4%) in the league.
Fulham vs Swansea
Only Palace, virtue of an inferior goal difference, have a worse home record than Fulham this season who, after a 4-0 defeat to Liverpool, won't relish the visit of Swansea. The Welsh outfit have returned victorious from both of their Premier League trips to Craven Cottage and will be hopeful of doing so once again against a Fulham side that have had at least 20 shots fewer than any other side this season (87).
Hull vs Crystal Palace
An impressive point against Everton last time out will have buoyed the Eagles but the 0-0 draw still highlighted their inadequacies in front of goal. The visitors (6) are one of only two sides to score fewer goals than Hull (9) this season so this is unlikely to be a classic. No game at the KC Stadium has seen over two goals thus far and 5 of the last 6 meetings between these two have seen under 2.5 goals scored.
Newcastle vs Norwich
Three second half goals against West Ham last time out made Norwich's tally for the season look a lot more respectable (9) but they've failed to score in their last 3 meetings with Newcastle. With consecutive clean sheets against Chelsea and Spurs, Pardew will be confident his side can pick up their fourth clean sheet in 6 matches at St. James' Park this weekend having won both of their home meetings since the Canaries returned to the top-flight 1-0.
Stoke vs Sunderland
A shock victory over City last time out restored some belief amongst Sunderland fans, that's for sure, and they'll hope to profit from a dismal run of form from Stoke this weekend. The Potters are without a league victory in 8 matches - only one side in Europe's top 5 leagues are on a longer winless streak - and this, like most games at the Britannia, promises to be another close encounter. In 5 Premier League encounters this fixture, when played at Stoke, has never been won by more than a single goal.
West Ham vs Chelsea
The second coming of the Special One has been less impressive than Chelsea fans would have hoped, with the Blues winning just once away from home in the league. They travel to a West Ham side without a victory at home since the opening day of the season, however, though a Joe Cole inspired comeback earned the Hammers a memorable 3-1 victory in this fixture last season. Jose Mourinho has only lost back-to-back away matches in the league once at Chelsea, in the final two matches of the 2005/06 season.
Manchester City vs Tottenham
City may be languishing down in eighth this season but that much is down to their awful away record thus far, with Spurs fully aware that at home their hosts are a completely different animal. The Citizens have picked up 40 points from the last 45 available in home matches and have netted 20 goals at the Etihad in the league this season, conceding just twice in 5 matches. It seems Tottenham's troubles in front of goal are unlikely to end on Sunday.
Cardiff vs Manchester United
The last meeting between these two sides was back in 1975 but Cardiff will look to a more recent memory to gain confidence ahead of this clash. The Bluebirds' shock victory over United's fierce rivals Manchester City will be enough to convince the fans that another upset is not out of the question. However, Moyes' side seem to have turned a corner having picked up more points in the last 5 matches than any other team (13).
West Brom vs Aston Villa
The final game of the week will be another fiercely contested match as West Brom host Villa in the West Midlands derby. The last three matches between the sides have ended in stalemate and in their 14 Premier League encounters neither side has won by more than a single goal. A clean sheet for Villa would see them equal their record of 5 from last season with less than a third of the campaign gone and they could become the only team in the league to keep 4 in a row on the road if Spurs concede at City.
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All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find yet more stats, including live in-game data and unique player and team ratings
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