Previewing the Premier League’s weekend matches including the Manchester Derby

Whilst it is early in the season champions Liverpool have the best goals per game ratio whilst Arsenal continue to be strong defensively. Aston Villa have a unique and horrible status of the only team yet to score this season.

The home/away form analysis metrics of the weekend fixtures

 (RAG Codes – Red – bottom third for goals scored/conceded,  Amber– middle third for goals scored/conceded, Green  – top third goals  scored/conceded)

• Arsenal V Notts Forest – Forest’s first game with new manager Ange Postecoglou in charge. The Gunners have conceded just 1 goal this season (wonder free kick from Liverpool) whilst Forest have conceded in all three fixtures. Key stat – Last three of this fixture were all home wins.
• Bournemouth V Brighton – South coast derby. After the opening match 4 nil defeat to Liverpool, the Cherries have not conceded. Brighton have also conceded 4 goals this season and no clean sheets. Key stat – The home team have a 67% win rate in this fixture, 33% to the away team and no draws. 
• Crystal Palace V Sunderland –  Unbeaten Palace play newly promoted Sunderland with 2 wins this season. Palace are tough to score against with 2 clean sheets this season.
• Everton V Aston Villa – The Toffees have scored 5 in their last 2 games against a Villa team yet to score a goal. Key stat – Everton have not won this fixture in six meetings. Could this be about to change?
• Fulham V Leeds – Both teams have been light on goals – two for the Cottagers and just 1 from Leeds (penalty against Everton).
• Newcastle V Wolves – Winless Newcastle will be hoping for 3 points against a Wolves team who are the only team to lose all three games. Key stat – Last four of this fixture were all home wins.
• West Ham V Tottenham – Saturday evening tele. Spurs only conceded one goal whilst the Hammers have conceded 8 in three games. Key stat – Last three of this fixture were all draws.
• Brentford V Chelsea – Saturday night tele. The Bees have managed a goal a game against unbeaten Chelsea (7 goals this season). Key stat – Last three of this fixture were all draws.
• Burnley V Liverpool – The Sunday midday kickoff – The champions, league leaders and leading goal scored have added Isak to their team. For goals scored Burnley have made a decent start, scoring 4 in two games. Key stats – Liverpool are unbeaten in their last six visits to Turf Moor. Liverpool have conceded in 2 games, so both teams to score could be an option. 

Man City V Man United – The Manchester Derby – The big game on Sunday afternoon

Last year’s away win by United broke a run of the defeats to their neighbours. Only one game at home but City have yet to win at home this season. Key stat – the last four fixtures have seen both teams scoring and United have yet to keep a clean sheet this season. Expecting some goals in this game.