Merry Xmas and a happy Boxing Day Premier League Predictions Week 15 and Preview to you.
Yes too much football is barely enough, so here we are again with our data packed preview.
Our preview ambles through the available Premier League fixtures, with a bunch of visuals, stats and figures for some barely interesting reading.
And if that isn’t enough, we throw in our tips for each game. With our current strike rate in the 40-50% range. Underwhelming yes, but it has been a difficult season.
For now, come for the stats, stay for the Premier League Predictions Week 15.
OTHER FOOTBALL STUFF
In addition to the below we have some other football gear too.
Premier League Predictions Week 15 – Season Results Summary
Tables are all good and well, but what about a much more colourful presentation of the results for the 20-21 Premier League season so far, with some opposition stats.
SATURDAY GAMES
LEICESTER v MAN UTD
MATCH STATS
Why Leicester can win
The win over Spurs last time out was goodun.
Why Man Utd can win.
Man Utd have a 100% record away this season, against teams in the top, middle and bottom of the Premier League ladder.
Only two of Jamie Vardy’s goals this season have come at home.
Man Utd are leading the last six form table.
Man Utd have scored twice as many goals away this season than Leicester have at home
Barely Interesting Stat:
Leicester haven’t beaten Man Utd since 2014 when they won 5-3. Leicester have only won two of the 28 league games played in the Premier League era. Man Utd have won 19 matches at a strike rate of 67%.
Why Should We Care
2nd v 3rd to kick off Boxing Day full of football will do nicely.
We Say….
Leicester 0 Man Utd 2
SATURDAY GAMES
ASTON VILLA v CRYSTAL PALACE
MATCH STATS
Why Aston Villa can win
Surely a 7-0 loss at home dents the confidence for a while. And Aston Villa scored seven v Liverpool earlier this season, so that means Aston Villa will score 14 this time. Or not.
Why Crystal Palace can win.
Aston Villa’s home form is pretty ordinary at the moment, no wins in four home games and the most draw was the first time they avoided defeat in that run.
Barely Interesting Stat:
Crystal Palace won the first match at Villa Park between these sides on a Saturday in 1967, and none since (5L 3D). But they have won the only match at Villa Park in December.
Why Should We Care
Looking to see the reaction from Crystal Palace. Not forgetting how Southampton turned their season around after their 9-0 home loss last season.
We Say….
Aston Villa 2 Crystal Palace 0
SATURDAY GAMES
FULHAM v SOUTHAMPTON
MATCH STATS
Why Fulham can win
Southampton are yet to beat a London side this season (2D 2L)
Fulham were good enough for a 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool recently, so good enough for the Saints on that form line.
Fulham have a 100% record v Top Six this season. Yes, Southampton are 7th but still.
Why Southampton can win.
Southampton have scored twice as many goals away as Fulham have at home.
Southampton are unbeaten in their last six away trips (3W 3D)
Barely Interesting Stat:
According to this fine warehouse of football stats, these two teams played each other on consecutive days in December 1952 on Dec 26 then Dec 27. For the record the results were Fulham 1 Southampton 1 on Dec 26 followed by Southampton 5 Fulham 3 on Dec 27.
Why Should We Care
Fulham are improving and threatening of breaking clear of relegation, Southampton are top dark horses. One dream can be slightly dented this weekend.
We Say….
Fulham 1 Southampton 1
SATURDAY GAMES
ARSENAL v CHELSEA
MATCH STATS
Why Arsenal can win
Chelsea have lost their last two away games.
Arsenal have won 2/3 v London sides this season. Same with Chelsea too. And Chelsea’s one non win was a draw unlike Arsenal.
Why Chelsea can win.
Chelsea average 2.2 points per game away to (say it quietly) a bottom six side while Arsenal average 0.3 points per game at home to top six sides.
Arsenal haven’t won any of their last seven games nor last five home games.
Barely Interesting Stat:
Arsenal have won the last four matches at home or neutral on a Saturday v Chelsea.
Why Should We Care
London derby, with added How Low Will It Go? for Arsenal.
We Say….
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 1 – Giroud Goal
SATURDAY GAMES
MANCHESTER CITY v NEWCASTLE
MATCH STATS
Why Man City can win
Man City have won the last 11 home league matches v Newcastle. And by a rugby margin of 39-7.
Newcastle haven’t beaten Man City in December since 1972.
Why Newcastle can win.
Newcastle drew 2-2 the last time these teams met on a Saturday. Although the last time they beat Man City anywhere on a Saturday was in 2005.
Barely Interesting Stat:
You have to go back 17 games and to the year 2002 for when Newcastle last beat Man City in Manchester.
Why Should We Care
Will this be one of those Man City thrashing strolls?
We Say….
Yes. Man City 6 Newcastle 0
SATURDAY GAMES
SHEFFIELD UTD v EVERTON
MATCH STATS
Why Sheffield Utd can win
Just a hunch. Surely they’ll catch up to their xG one day.
Why Everton can win.
Everton top the last three form table with a perfect return. Beating no less than Arsenal, Leicester and Chelsea.
Everton are currently miles better than Sheffield Utd and have one of the top goal scorers. And have three times + as many goals scored this season.
Barely Interesting Stat:
Sheffield Utd have lost only once to Everton in December since 1900 (6W 4D)
And Everton last won at Sheffield Utd on a Saturday in 1972.
Why Should We Care
This is surely the game where Sheffield Utd break their duck for the season and win.
We Say….
Sheffield Utd 2 Everton 1
SUNDAY GAMES
LEEDS UTD v BURNLEY
MATCH STATS
Why Leeds can win
Leeds have a 100% at home to bottom six sides.
Their recent win over Newcastle showed all of their good side.
Why Burnley can win.
Burnley are fifth in last six form, Leeds are 11th.
Burnley haven’t lost any of their last five v Leeds (3W 2D)
Barely Interesting Stat:
Leeds have scored three times as many goals overall, at home and away than Burnley.
Why Should We Care
Any Leeds game is interesting.
We Say….
Leeds 1 Burnley 1
SUNDAY GAMES
WEST HAM v BRIGHTON
MATCH STATS
Why West Ham can win
West Ham have a 100% record v bottom six sides – home or away.
Brighton are yet to beat a London side this season.
Why Brighton can win.
Brighton haven’t loss their last three v West Ham (1W 2D) on a Saturday.
Barely Interesting Stat:
West Ham haven’t beaten Brighton since they were last together in the Championship in 2012. (3D 3L) Which means West Ham are yet to beat Brighton in the Premier League.
Why Should We Care
Pending. Depends if our prediction is accurate.
We Say….
West Ham 3 Brighton 0
SUNDAY GAMES
LIVERPOOL v WEST BROM
MATCH STATS
Why Liverpool can win
Did you see the ease of their 7-0 win over Crystal Palace?
West Brom probably have another red card in them.
Why West Brom can win.
Big Sam was in charge the last time a side beat Liverpool at home (with Crustal Palace)
New manager bounce.
More sulking of players when benched or not starting from Liverpool.
Barely Interesting Stat:
West Brom are undefeated in the last three v Liverpool in all matches. Including the last game at Liverpool (Cup)
And Liverpool have won just once in four games at home to West Brom on a Sunday.
Why Should We Care
Just in case Liverpool are as good as they were last weekend.
We Say….
Liverpool 3 West Brom 0. Maybe 0-0 at half time.
SUNDAY GAMES
WOLVES v SPURS
MATCH STATS
Why Wolves can win
Spurs are now winless in two matches and Jose will surely be ready for an implosion soon if there’s another.
Wolves won the last Sunday clash between these sides from last season, but that was away. Spurs also won on a Sunday away last season.
Why Spurs can win.
Spurs are better away than at home, and have scored twice as many goals on the road this season than Wolves at home.
Spurs have a great record away to non big six teams.
Spurs have won their last three trips to Wolves.
Barely Interesting Stat:
The away side has scored two goals or more in the six of the last seven games between these clubs.
Why Should We Care
Given the playing styles this could be one of the duller games this season. Or tense. Depending on what you believe.
We Say….
Wolves 0 Spurs 0
