Previewing Premier League matches based on historic and recent form

Arsenal, Man City and Bournemouth the only unbeaten teams on recent form. Tottenham have no wins over this period whilst Burnley, Leeds and Forest have just one win in this period.

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)

• West Ham V Wolves (Friday night fixture) – Historic fact – The Hammers victorious in the last 5 of these fixtures. Key stats – both teams have identical recent records (2 wins, 3 draws, 3 defeats) although Wolves have earned just 11% of available points on their travels. Big incentive for the Hammers to win as they move out of the relegation zone ahead of the weekend’s games.
• Arsenal V Bournemouth – Last season Bournemouth pulled off their first away win at the Emirates. Key stats -Both teams have conceded just 5 goals in 8 games although the Gunners have scored 19 over that period where as the Cherries have 8 goals.  Bournemouth are the draw specialists (5 consecutive draws) so will be tough to beat.
• Brentford V Everton – The Bees are winless in their last three home encounters with the Toffees (2 draws, 1 defeat). Both teams in decent form earning 54% of available recent points with Brentford on 3 wins, 4 draws  and just 1 defeat whilst Everton have 4 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats. Could be a close encounter.
• Burnley V Brighton – 2 draws and 2 defeats for the Clarets in their last 4 home encounters with Brighton. The Seagulls are in good recent form (4 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats). The Clarets are struggling (1 wins, 2 draws, 5 defeats). Key stats – Brighton have a mean defence – just 6 goals conceded in 8 games and Burnley average only one goal per game.
• Liverpool V Fulham – Historically tend to be goals in this game – 8 in the last 2 fixtures. Key stats – Liverpool always score on recent form (8 times in 8 games) but do not always win (4 wins, 1 draw, 3 defeats). Fulham in decent form (3 wins, 1 draw, 4 defeats). Liverpool are strong at home earning  62% from available points. Home team are favourites.
• Crystal Palace V Newcastle – Historic results sorry 3 draws in the last 4 of these fixtures. Key stats – on recent form Palace are stronger earning 52% from available points (3 wins, 2 draws, 2 defeats) against Newcastle earning 38% of their available points. (3 wins, 0 draws, 5 defeats)
• Notts Forest V Aston Villa – Villa have yet to win at Forest since their return to the Premier League three seasons ago. Key stats – both teams are on poor recent form – Villa 33% earned from available points and Forest just 29% from available points. Could be a tense Midlands derby.
• Man United V Leeds – The War of the Roses in football. Key stats – on recent form Man United are stronger earned 71% from available recent games (5 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat)  whilst their visitors just 29% points earned over this period (Leeds 1 win in 6 games). Have to fancy the home team.
• Sunderland V Tottenham – Sunderland in decent recent form (3 wins, 1 draw, 4 defeats) whilst Spurs shockingly bad (0 wins, 2 draws, 6 defeats). Key stats – the Black Cats are strong at home earning 58% of available points. Spurs have a new coach (the third this season) which could lift their performance.

Chelsea V Man City – Huge game at the top of the Premier League

On historic recent form City start favourites having won the last four in five fixtures and drawn the other one.  Key stats – Chelsea have patchy current form, 3 wins,  draws and 3 defeats earning 46% from points available. Contrast City are in super current form, undefeated in 7 games with 4 wins and 3 draws. The dark Blues are just above average at home (51% earned from available home points) with City slightly better (earning 56% of available away points). Expecting a cracker.