Gameweek 4 is upon us, and with another weekend of frenzied top-flight action on the horizon, it’s time to take a look at the Premier League stats and records that could make the headlines.
From managers and players to teams and trends, there are plenty of intriguing numbers to keep an eye on as we race into gameweek 4.
Stats you might see in Gameweek 4
Liverpool vs Fulham
- Alvaro Arbeloa could become the first former Liverpool player to to defeat the Reds as a manager in the Premier League.
Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa returns to Anfield in a spot of bother in the Premier League Sack Race after firing blanks in his opening three Premier League matches.
The odds are stacked against the Cottagers, who have only lost their opening four matches of a top-flight season just twice, in 1951/52 and 2020/21 – and they were relegated both times.
If Arbeloa does conjure up a shock win on his old stomping ground, the Spaniard will make history by becoming the first former Liverpool player to win a Premier League game as a manager against them.
The five previous attempts have all ended in defeat: Paul Ince (Blackburn, 2008/09), Mauricio Pellegrino (Southampton, twice in 2017/18), Steven Gerrard twice (Aston Villa, twice in 2021/22).
READ – What we learned from Bradley Barcola’s first Liverpool start vs Atletico Madrid
Chelsea vs Hull City
- Hull City can become the first promoted side in top-flight history to keep a clean sheet in each of their first four games.
Give yourself a huge pat on the back if you boldly forecast that Hull City would be third in the table with seven points from three games. Go get yourself a lottery ticket if you went one step further and predicted that the Tigers would be the only club yet to concede a goal.
Both their unbeaten run and unbroken defence will be put to the test at Stamford Bridge on Saturday when they face Chelsea, the joint-highest scorers in the league with eight goals.
If Hull prevent Chelsea from scoring, they will become the first promoted side in top-flight history to keep a clean sheet in each of their first four games. Sergej Jakirovic’s side would also be the first club of any kind to start a Premier League season with four straight clean sheets since Man City in 2015/16.
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest
- Aston Villa could become the first side in the history of England’s top four tiers to go their opening four games without scoring in successive seasons.
Aston Villa are one of just three clubs, alongside Tottenham and Coventry, yet to score in the Premier League this season.
That was also the case at this stage last campaign, meaning history could repeat itself on Saturday as Villa look to avoid becoming the first side in the history of England’s top four tiers to go their opening four games without scoring in successive seasons.
There is, however, reason for optimism. A more attack-minded Villa found the net three times in a 3-2 Champions League victory over Club Brugge in midweek, and they will be hoping that this attacking intent carries over into their home clash with Nottingham Forest.
Bournemouth vs Brentford
- Bournemouth can become the first side in Premier League history to lead in each of their opening four games and win none of them.
Bournemouth will be looking to shake-off their recent struggles in this fixture by ending a run of eight Premier League games without a win against Brentford (D3 L5).
To do that, Marco Rose’s side will need to learn some tough lessons from their opening three games; all three of which they’ve led but failed to win. The only other club to experience this was Chelsea back in the inaugural 1992/93 Premier League season.
The Cherries are now in danger of becoming the first side in Premier League history to lead in each of their opening four games but win none of them.
Crystal Palace vs Ipswich Town
- Ipswich’s search for a Premier League clean sheet could stretch to 23 matches.
Ipswich Town enjoyed a winning start upon their return to the Premier League, beating Sunderland 2-1. But, the Tractor Boys have since suffered back-to-back defeats to Man United and Liverpool.
Gary O’Neil will be determined to solidify a defence that has forgotten to keep clean sheets in the top-flight. The club haven’t recorded a single Premier League shutout in any of their last 22 games dating back to a 2-0 win at home to Chelsea in December 2024. This was one of only two cleansheets they recorded last time they were in the top-flight.
Tottenham vs Everton
- Tottenham could go four league games without a goal at the start of a season for the first time in their history.
Tottenham have not had the start they either wanted or expected: three games, zero wins, zero goals, and 18th in the table. Surely this has to change on Saturday when they host Everton.
A failure to score would see Spurs start a season without a goal in four games for the first time in their league history. Meanwhile, they haven’t gone four Premier League games without a goal since 2006.
On a more positive note, Tottenham did hold their nerve to beat Everton 1-0 on the final day of last season, which kept them in the Premier League.
Sunderland vs Arsenal
- Arsenal could stretch their unbeaten Premier League run in this fixture to 18 matches since their last defeat to Sunderland.
Arsenal will be looking to make it six wins from six in all competitions when they visit Sunderland.
The Gunners have an impressive record against the Black Cats, losing just one of their last 29 Premier League meetings, 18 of which have been wins.
They’re also unbeaten in their last 17 games against Sunderland, picking up 11 victories during that run.
Victory would see Arsenal take maximum points from their opening four top-flight games for just the sixth time in the club’s history.
Coventry City vs Brighton
- Coventry could lose their opening four games of a league season for the first time in 107 years (1919/20).
20th-placed Coventry City have not made an idea start to their first Premier League season in 25 years.
The Sky Blues have lost all three games to nil. In fairness, two of those games were away to Arsenal and Man City, but the defeat at home to Hull would have stung.
Frank Lampard will now look to pick up points at home to Brighton. If Coventry fail to do so, it will be the first time in 107 years (1919/20) that they’ve lost the opening four games of a season – on that occasion they lost a whopping nine on the spin.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are the only club to open up a Premier League campaign with four defeats to nil (2017/18), which infamously cost Frank de Boer his job.
Manchester United vs Manchester City
- Manchester City (9) could become the first visiting side to win 10 Premier league away games at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick enjoyed the perfect start to his second stint at Manchester United when he masterminded a 2-0 victory at home to Man City back in January. He’ll now be looking to lead the Red Devils to back-to-back home league Manchester derby wins for the first time since 2009/10 and 2010/11.
Man City, however, haven’t lost in nine Premier League away games since that Old Trafford defeat. The Citizens now make the short trip bidding to become the first visiting side ever to win 10 Premier league away games at Old Trafford.
READ – Man City’s new ‘superpower’ under Enzo Maresca
Leeds vs Newcastle
- Yoane Wissa has the chance to double his Premier League goalscoring tally from last season, after just four games.
Yoane Wissa will be the first to admit his debut season at Newcastle was far from what he had hoped for. In truth, it was a nightmare, with the former Brentford striker managing just one goal in 19 Premier League appearances.
Wissa has already matched that tally this season, finding the back of the net in Newcastle’s 2-0 victory at Tottenham. Another goal against Leeds would see Wissa double last season’s total, with two goals in his first four games of the campaign.
