The Premier League matches are coming thick and fast as the festive period begins to take shape.
After a busy midweek period, attention now turns to the weekend for gameweek 15, where we can expect twists, turns, and some sizzling stats.
Stats you might see
Arsenal’s favourite hunting ground
- If Arsenal win they will have won more Premier League games at Villa Park than at any other away ground.
Arguably, the match of the gameweek takes place at Villa Park where two of the league’s in-form teams go head-to-head in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
Aston Villa have soared up to 3rd following a run of eight wins in nine matches, which has drawn them to within six points of leaders Arsenal, a gap they can shred further this weekend.
But Arsenal arrive in the Midlands in formidable form of their own. Mikel Arteta’s side are unbeaten in 18 matches across all competitions – winning 15 – and boast an excellent record at Villa Park. Their 15 Premier League wins there are already tied for their most they’ve had at any away ground, and one more on Saturday would make Villa Park their most successful Premier League hunting ground of all.
Chelsea’s 3pm Saturday scaries
- Chelsea could lose three straight 3pm Saturday matches for the first time since November 2000.
Chelsea head to the south coast with their tail between their legs following their shock 3-1 loss to Leeds.
The Blues really do need to bounce back against Bournemouth in order to keep pace with the likes of Arsenal and Man City but, should they lose to the Cherries, it would mark the first time since November 2000 that they’ve lost three consecutive Premier League matches in the traditional 3pm Saturday kick-off slot.
Forest chase away day double
- Nottingham Forest could win consecutive away league games against Everton for the first time ever.
Nottingham Forest have enjoyed a significant improvement under Sean Dyche, who has claimed four wins from his last five games in all competitions, including away wins at Anfield and Molineux.
Dyche now takes his new side to his former employers, Everton, whom Nottingham Forest beat 2-0 at Goodison Park last season. A win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium would see Forest secure back-to-back away victories over Everton for the very first time.
Sunderland’s Etihad escape plan
- Sunderland look to claim their first ever Premier League win away to Manchester City.
Sunderland will be looking to claim a major scalp this weekend when they take on Manchester City at the Etihad. Only five points separate City in 2nd from Sunderland in 6th with the latter enjoying a superb season back in the Premier League.
The Black Cats, who came agonisingly close to claiming the spoils at Anfield, will now be on the hunt for their first ever Premier League win away to City, whom they’ve drawn twice and lost to 11 times in their last 13 visits.
Burnley braced for the seventh wave
- Newcastle can match their longest top-flight winning streak against a single club with a seventh successive victory over Burnley.
Burnley head up to St James’ Park on the back of five straight defeats and, given their rotten record against Newcastle, few will give the Clarets a chance of springing a surprise on Saturday.
Newcastle go into the game looking to claim their seventh Premier League win in a row against Burnley, which would match their longest top-flight winning streak against a single club (Bury 1903-1906).
Tottenham’s house of horrors
- Tottenham could lose an 11th Premier League home match in a single year for the first time in their history.
Tottenham fans have been starved of smiles on home soil where they’ve failed to win any of their last six league games, four of which they’ve lost.
If Spurs, who have the league’s second-worst home record – behind Wolves – lose against Thomas Frank’s former side Brentford on Saturday, they will have been beaten in 11 Premier League home matches in a single year for the first time in their history.
Liverpool’s away day blues
- If Liverpool lose against Leeds, no club would have lost more away games (8) than the Reds since the start of April.
Liverpool have lost seven of their last 11 Premier League away games, with only Fulham and Wolves losing more (8 each) since the start of April.
The Reds have lost four of their last five on the road and should they fall to Leeds this weekend, no Premier League side would have lost more away games since April.
Hammers beware of Brighton
- If Brighton beat West Ham they will have won eight Premier League games against them, their joint-most against any opponent.
Brighton have been a tough nut to crack for West Ham in recent years. The Hammers have won just one of the 16 Premier League meetings, giving them a miserable 6% win rate in this fixture.
The Seagulls have claimed seven wins along the way. If they add another this weekend, they will equal their record for most Premier League wins against a single opponent (8 against Manchester United).
Clean sheet Crystals
- Crystal Palace could draw alongside Arsenal at the top of the clean sheet table (8).
Crystal Palace have been a defensive force this season. If they prevent Fulham from scoring – and Arsenal concede away to Villa – no side will have accumulated more Premier League clean sheets (8) this season than the Eagles.
Bruno’s road to creativity
- If Bruno Fernandes assists a goal against Wolves, he will become only the fifth player to assist in five consecutive away Premier League games.
If Manchester United lose away to winless Wolves on Monday, then the alarm bells really will start to ring. Despite their topsy-turvy form, the Red Devils remain unbeaten in their last four Premier League away games, including eye-catching wins at Anfield and Selhurst Park.
Bruno Fernandes has been instrumental on the road, registering an assist in all four of those unbeaten road trips. If he provides another assist on Monday, he would become only the fifth player in Premier League history to assist in five consecutive away games, following in the footsteps of Muzzy Izzet, Cesc Fabregas, Gerard Deulofeu, and Mo Salah.
