Premier League statistical preview: Manchester United vs Manchester City, Liverpool vs Southampton, Sunderland vs Newcastle
Whoscored.com return to rattle through the numbers for this weekend
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Your support makes all the difference.Sunderland vs Newcastle
Already looking likely to be a crucial battle ahead of a potential relegation scrap, there is more than mere bragging rights up for grabs in Sunday's Wear-Tyne derby. The game not only reignites a fierce rivalry but also represents Sam Allardyce's first game in charge of the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light and a chance for the Sunderland boss to get one over on his former employers.
The game follows the pattern of a new Sunderland manager taking charge of this local derby in only their second game at the club, with Paolo Di Canio, Gus Poyet and Dick Advocaat all managing victories in said encounters. Each of those managers, like Allardyce, had lost their opening game at the helm so the new boss will be hoping to continue the trend this weekend. Sunderland have actually won each of their last 5 matches against Newcastle, conceding just once in that time.
However, while the hosts are still searching for their first win of the season Newcastle managed that feat in emphatic fashion last time out, hitting Norwich for six. It was the culmination of what had been an upturn in form despite being thumped by City, having gone into the interval level against the league leaders, coming very close to a victory over champions Chelsea the week before. McClaren's men are beginning to find their feet in front of goal, with Mitrovic improving all the time and Wijnaldum in scintillating form last time out.
The Dutchman scored 4 goals to take his tally for his new club to 6 and will be keen to add to that in his first derby with the Magpies. He is currently Newcastle's highest rated player according to WhoScored (7.20) so it will be up to Sunderland's star man this season to limit Wijnaldum's influence. Like his opponent this weekend the arrival of Yann M'Vila was deemed something of a coup on Wearside and he too has made a strong start to life in England, also gaining his side's highest score from WhoScored (7.28).
Manchester United vs Manchester City
At the opposite end of the table there is another local derby to look forward to this weekend as Manchester United host City. Louis van Gaal's side would leapfrog the league leaders with a win but their trip to Moscow in midweek - while City hosted Sevilla - could give the visitors on Sunday a slight advantage. That said, without key men David Silva and Sergio Aguero to contend with, United's defence will be more than a little relieved.
Wilfried Bony and Raheem Sterling, who notched all 5 goals between one another in City's win over Bournemouth last weekend, are no mugs, but the absence of the aforementioned pairing remains a blow to Manuel Pellegrini. The Chilean will be keen to have captain Vincent Kompany back in action at the other end then, given that his side have conceded in each of the 7 matches that the Belgian has not started since picking up an injury against Juventus last month.
If fit, Kompany is likely to come up against United skipper Wayne Rooney, who has been moved into the central striker position in recent matches. The Englishman has faced criticism this season but was on the scoresheet last weekend and has netted more goals in this fixture (11) than any other player. That said, the hosts’ main threat may well come in the form of Anthony Martial - moved to the left to accommodate Rooney's return - with the youngster netting his fifth goal for United in midweek.
The teenager is Van Gaal's highest rated player in the Premier League this season according to WhoScored.com, with a score of 7.77 enough to rank 8th in England's top tier. Also set to be fielded from an unfavoured role on the left, another summer signing may be key for the away side, with Kevin De Bruyne likely to be full of confidence after a late winning goal and WhoScored rating of 8.01 on Wednesday. The former Chelsea playmaker has either scored or assisted a goal in 7 of his last 8 appearances for club and country.
Liverpool vs Southampton
Jurgen Klopp may have made his first appearance in front of the crowd at Anfield in midweek but this game will be a first for the German in the Premier League on Merseyside. Much like his opening game in charge at Spurs this will be no pushover though, hosting a Southampton side that are one of only 4 teams yet to lose on the road in the Premier League this season.
The Saints last away day was a memorable one too, returning to the coast from Stamford Bridge with a 3-1 win, and they'll be looking to upset the odds once more on Sunday. With the added incentive of having seen Liverpool strip their team of some of their prized assets, with Nathaniel Clyne making the same trip as Lallana, Lovren and Lambert this summer, the away fans will be desperate to make the journey home in jubilant mood once more.
Despite the fact that they recently sacked a manager, Liverpool have actually proven to be fairly resolute this season - defeats to West Ham and United aside. Indeed, those two losses are the only matches in which the Reds have trailed all season - finding themselves in a losing position fewer times than any other Premier League team. With the likes of Firmino and Benteke back in full training, Klopp will look to build again following a solid defensive showing in the most part at White Hart Lane.
If the big Belgian is back in contention he will likely replace compatriot Divock Origi, setting up a hotly contested aerial battle with Saints summer signing Virgil van Dijk. The Dutchman has made a strong start to life at St. Mary's - currently ranking as Southampton's highest rated player (7.71) - leading his side in terms of aerial duels won (5.4) and clearances (7.2) per game. Meanwhile Benteke has won more aerial duels per game than any other Premier League player (8.5), while no one has scored more headed goals since the former Villa front man made the move to England (13).
All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find yet more stats, including live in-game data and unique player and team ratings. You can follow all the scores, statistics, live player and team ratings with the new free-to-download WhoScored iOS app.
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