Desh Parthab highlights a few things you should keep in mind before taking your weekend Premier League bets! In this edition, we take a look at Newcastle's charge up the table, Southampton's leaky defence and more!
It’s been a busy week for English football. Manchester City and Liverpool both drew first blood in their Champions League escapades, taking respective first-leg advantages.
West Ham and Leicester were also involved in European action. The Hammers head will need to overturn a 2-1 deficit when they travel to Eintracht Frankfurt next week.
Brendan Rodger’s side salvaged a draw after they too conceded the first goal in their Conference League first leg semi-final. The Foxes came into that one undefeated in 6 home league outings (W3 D3) which would have given them sufficient momentum.
Manchester United and Chelsea shared the spoils as both sides settled for a point in their fixture. With that being said, here are a few clubs that will be looking to put 3 points on the board.
Saints’ defensive shocker
Southampton have shipped 19 goals across their previous eight league outings – conceding at least twice on 6 occasions in that run (W1 D2 L5). The Saints’ only win and clean sheet during this period was a 1-0 home victory against Arsenal. James Ward Prowse has bagged two goals across his previous three league outings. The midfielder’s seven shots (of which 4 were on target) are both team-leading totals for this period. Furthermore, his seven chances created and 28 crosses are both team highs.
Put your nostalgia aside, leave out the Beckham’s, Juninho’s, Messi’s…
— Jilshie (@LegendaryLewy) April 25, 2022
James Ward-Prowse is the greatest free kick taker of all time. His technique, conversion rate, and versatility is simply unrivaled. pic.twitter.com/oOfQRzuBJv
Toon on the up
Newcastle have won their previous four league outings, keeping three clean sheets during that period. The Magpies haven’t won five consecutive league fixtures since November 2014 under Alan Pardew, a run that included a home victory against Liverpool. Joelinton has bagged two goals across his previous three league appearances from his team-high nine shots. Furthermore, his five chances created and six fouls are both team-leading totals for this period. Those goals came last time out in his 100th EPL appearance for Newcastle making him the fourth player in the club’s history to do so (after Gary Speed, Andy O’Brien and Ayoze Perez).
Only two players in the Premier League have 30+ in the following metrics this season:
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 22, 2022
◉ 30+ tackles made
◉ 30+ interceptions
◉ 30+ clearances
◉ 30+ take-ons completed
◉ 30+ aerial duels won
Declan Rice 🤝 Joelinton. pic.twitter.com/t6OFkxxDHr
Palace lacking bite on the road
Crystal Palace have failed to score in seven different away league fixtures this campaign – with only three teams failing more often. Despite this, Vierra’s men have lost just one of their nine away fixtures when finding the back of the net on their travels (W3 D5). The club netted just once across their previous three league outings which came courtesy of a Wilfried Zaha strike. The talisman has attempted 14 shots, with seven of them being on target – these are both team-leading totals for this period. Zaha could have added to his tally as seen by his one big chance missed. Furthermore, he leads his teammates for chances created, dribbles completed and duels won.
🗣 “The only thing that was missing was a bit of quality up front.”
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) April 25, 2022
Patrick Vieira says he was happy with his Crystal Palace sides performance against Leeds United. pic.twitter.com/2YuDXbGCXV
Everton in all sorts
Everton (6) have taken the fewest points from all topflight clubs on their travels this season. If they are to avoid relegation, they will have to rely on their form at Goodison Park. Richarlison helped himself to one of the club’s two goals scored across their previous three league outings. Despite this, the forward could have added to his tally as seen by his two big chances missed. The Brazilian leads his teammates for shots, shots on target, attempted dribbles, completed dribbles and duels won. Lampard will have to find a way to get the ball to Richarlison – alarmingly, Jordan Pickford has attempted the most passes from all Everton players during the club’s previous three league outings.
🗣 "Everton have not won a Premier League away game since August, that is an unbelievable stat." @Carra23 discusses Everton's poor away record in the Premier League this season pic.twitter.com/EMU5vtamRl
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) April 24, 2022
Burnley take aim at Watford
Burnley will look to put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone this time out. The Clarets take aim at a Watford team who have lost their previous 10 home league outings. Jay Rodriguez has attempted 10 shots across the club’s previous three league outings – which is a team-leading total during that period. The forward has not registered an attacking return but did hit the woodwork once and missed 1 big chance during this period so he could prove the difference.
Burnley pick up their first win post the Sean Dyche era with goals coming from Connor Roberts and Nathan Collins ✨#BURSOU pic.twitter.com/9YhiuOg9DI
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) April 21, 2022
