Statistical preview to the Premier League, featuring Manchester United vs Everton, Chelsea vs Arsenal and Tottenham vs Southampton
WhoScored.com return to rattle off the stats of the top matches in the Premier League in game week seven
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United vs Everton
Each result for Louis van Gaal's Manchester United is met with a combination of reactions stating that they will now finally begin their title charge, and others who insist it served to highlight persisting flaws. Last week's unconvincing 2-1 win over West Ham wasn't helped by Wayne Rooney's impetuous and unnecessary kick out at Stewart Downing for which he was sent off, but the Hammers were already back in the game by that point.
Everton visit Old Trafford this weekend hoping to pick up form that leaves them with only 6 points from 6 games and wallowing just above the relegation zone. They have conceded the most goals in the league (14), after having taken 15 games to concede that many last season.
United's weakness, too, is clearly the defence, which was breached five times by lowly Leicester City a mere fortnight ago. They are still without as many as 3 first team centre-backs and you would expect the likes of Romelu Lukaku to get the better of Paddy McNair this time around. The Toffees did the double over United last season and David Moyes' move from Goodison Park to United stoked the north-west rivalry further. Both team need points and would love to win this one, and you can certainly count on United for drama at the moment.
Chelsea vs Arsenal
The unquestionable game of the weekend is at Stamford Bridge as table-toppers Chelsea host injury-ravaged Arsenal with the teams facing off for the first time since a 6-0 mauling back for the Gunners in March. Arsène Wenger's team was widely criticised last season for crumbling at the grounds of the league's top teams, with too little protection offered from midfield and with the team caught out of position high up the pitch all too often.
No defensive midfielder was signed over the summer and Arsenal have now been hit by a spate of injuries, particularly in central midfield. They will have to put in a mature and disciplined performance on Sunday to avoid another trouncing this time around.
Chelsea have scored 7 more goals (19) than any other team in the Premier League this season and will expect to net against Arsenal, whose only clean sheet of the campaign came at an Aston Villa side heavily depleted by illness. Meanwhile, 17 of the 41 goals the Gunners conceded in the Premier League last season came away to the teams that made up the eventual top 3, and although they have improved, a lack of investment in central areas could cost them.
The clash pits the only two remaining unbeaten sides in England's top flight, and Chelsea will be huge favourites to end the weekend as the only team yet to taste defeat, even with Arsenal buoyed by an impressive midweek thrashing of Galatasaray.
Tottenham vs Southampton
Mauricio Pochettino welcomes a Southampton side much-changed from during his reign to White Hart Lane this week with his former employees flying some 5 points above the team of which he now takes.
Tottenham, after beginning the season with back-to-back victories, have now gone 4 Premier League games without a win and have started to look worryingly lacking in ideas going forwards. Pochettino has tried to implement his philosophies at the club but he is yet to enjoy the same success as he did at Southampton, with only 4 teams having had fewer attempts on goal this season than Spurs (10.7 per game).
Not so for Saints, who have begun life after Pochettino in devastating fashion, second in the table after 6 matches, behind only Chelsea. Interestingly, last season Pochettino had the team 6th in the table with 2 fewer points at this stage.
Koeman has bought shrewdly, with Graziano Pellè currently the third highest scorer in the league (4). On a run of 6 successive wins in all competitions at present, Koeman will believe his team to be capable of pulling off an upset at White Hart Lane on Sunday. Spurs have a terrible recent Premier League record in games following Europa League Thursdays, having won 6 and lost 8 of their last 15, so Saints will be hopeful of springing a surprise.
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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