Premier League - Matchround 4 (29-30 August 2015) There have been 10 players to score in each of the opening four matches of a Premier League season (see table). Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez and Swansea City's Bafetimbi Gomis could join that list this weekend. Player Club Season Total Goals Wayne Rooney Manchester United 2011/12 8 Diego Costa Chelsea 2014/15 7 Bobby Zamora West Ham United 2006/07 5 Darren Bent Charlton Athletic 2005/06 5 Daniel Sturridge Liverpool 2013/14 4 Olivier Giroud Arsenal 2013/14 4 Emmanuel Adebayor Manchester City 2009/10 4 Ruud van Nistelrooy Manchester United 2005/06 4 José Antonio Reyes Arsenal 2004/05 4 Branko Strupar Derby County 2000/01 4 Sunderland have remained winless in the opening four matches of each of the last four Premier League seasons. Not since 2010/11 have they won one of their first four fixtures of a Premier League campaign. Only once before have Aston Villa lost their opening two home matches of a Premier League season (2013/14). Aston Villa could fail to score in their first two home matches of a top flight campaign for the third time, after 1938/39 and 1946/47. If Leicester City beat AFC Bournemouth they will reach 10 points and set a new club top flight record for highest points tally after the first four matches of a season (adjusted for three-point rule). Leicester have never won their first two away matches of a top flight season. They have remained unbeaten in six, with the last coming in 2000/01. Riyad Mahrez is the Premier League leading scorer this season with four goals in the first three matches. He found the net four times in 30 Premier League appearances in 2014/15. Mark Hughes will become the eighth manager to take charge of 350 Premier League matches. This will be Tony Pulis' first Premier League match as a manager at Britannia Stadium since he left Stoke City. His two Premier League matches versus the Potters have both been 1-0 home wins (for Crystal Palace and West Brom). Southampton scored only three Premier League headed goals last season (excl. own goals), a league low. Both their Premier League goals this campaign have been headers. Only once before have Norwich City won their opening two away matches of a Premier League season. In 1993/94 they won 3-2 at Blackburn Rovers and 4-0 at Leeds United.
Newcastle United Arsenal (29 August, St James' Park) Arsenal have won seven consecutive Premier League matches against Newcastle United. Only Manchester City (11 from January 2009 to present) have had a longer top flight winning streak versus the Magpies. Arsenal have only had longer Premier League winning streaks against Manchester City (11), West Ham United (9), Bolton Wanderers (8) and Middlesbrough (8). Newcastle have won only one of their last 16 PL matches against Arsenal (D5-L10), the 1-0 away victory on 7 November 2010. Andy Carroll scored the only goal, while Laurent Koscielny was sent off for the Gunners. Arsenal have lost only one of their last 14 PL matches at Newcastle (W6-D7), the 1-0 defeat on 10 December 2005. Nolberto Solano scored the winner after Gilberto Silva had been sent off for the Gunners. Arsenal have had a player sent off in each of their last three Premier League defeats against Newcastle. Newcastle and Arsenal (both 20) share the PL record for goals by the highest number of different French players (excl. own goals). Newcastle United Newcastle United are one short of becoming the seventh team to win 900 top flight home matches. Newcastle could remain winless in their opening four Premier League matches for the second consecutive season. In 2014/15 their first PL win of the campaign came in their eighth fixture. Newcastle could draw their first two home matches of a top flight campaign for the first time since 1976/77. Newcastle have won only two of their 11 Premier League home matches in 2015 (D4-L5), the 1-0 victory against Aston Villa on 28 February and the 2-0 win versus West Ham United on 24 May. Papiss Cissé is one short of 100 PL appearances. He scored 21 goals in his first 50 PL matches (14 in next 49). Steve McClaren has lost nine of his 10 Premier League matches as a manager against Arsenal. The only exception was his Middlesbrough team's 2-1 home victory on 10 September 2005. Arsenal If Arsenal lose they will equal their lowest points total after four matches of a Premier League season. They took four points from their opening four PL fixtures of 1994/95 and 2011/12. Arsenal have won their first two away matches in only one of the last 10 Premier League seasons, when they won at Fulham and Sunderland in 2013/14. Only in 1994/95 and 1998/99 have Arsenal failed to score in three of their opening four matches of a Premier League season. Arsenal are unbeaten in seven PL away matches (W6-D1), since the 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on 7 February. March to October 2013 was the last time they had a longer unbeaten PL away run (10 matches). Arsenal have kept one clean sheet in their last eight PL away matches, in the 1-0 win at Burnley on 11 April. The home team has won only one of the last 10 PL matches involving Arsenal, the Gunners' 4-1 victory against West Bromwich Albion on 24 May. Arsenal have had 58 PL shot attempts this season, a league high. Only Sunderland (59) have conceded more PL shot attempts than Newcastle (51) this campaign (Chelsea also 51). Olivier Giroud (8) is the leading scorer in this fixture (home/away) in the PL (Van Persie/Henry 6). Giroud has not scored more than five PL goals versus any other single opponent (5 against West Ham). Giroud has scored in four consecutive Premier League appearances against Newcastle (total six goals). Petr Cech could become the first visiting goalkeeper to keep five PL clean sheets at St James' Park.
Chelsea Crystal Palace (29 August, Stamford Bridge) Chelsea have won seven of their last eight Premier League matches against Crystal Palace. The only exception in that run was the 1-0 away defeat on 29 March 2014, due to a John Terry own goal. That 1-0 win is Crystal Palace's only Premier League victory against Chelsea (D2-L9). Crystal Palace have only lost more Premier League matches against Manchester United and Arsenal (both 10) than versus Chelsea (9). Chelsea are unbeaten in all 13 top flight home matches against Crystal Palace (W8-D5). Crystal Palace's only league win at Chelsea was a 2-1 victory in the old Division Two on 17 March 1982. Crystal Palace's only Premier League point at Stamford Bridge came in the 0-0 draw on 5 March 1995. Chelsea won this exact fixture 1-0 last season (3 May 2015). Eden Hazard scored the goal that secured the Premier League title for the Blues. Chelsea Not since 2002/03 have Chelsea failed to win either of their opening two home matches of a PL season. They followed a 2-2 draw against Manchester United with a 1-1 draw versus Arsenal under Claudio Ranieri. Only one previous reigning Premier League champion has remained winless in their opening two home matches. In 1996/97 Manchester United drew 2-2 against both Everton and Blackburn Rovers, but still went on to win the league. Only once before have Chelsea lost two of their opening four matches of a Premier League season. In 1993/94 they were beaten by both Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town in their first four fixtures. Chelsea have conceded seven goals in their opening three Premier League matches this season. It is the most goals they have conceded in the opening three fixtures of a top flight campaign since 1971/72 (8). Not kept a clean sheet in their last six league matches, since the 1-0 victory in this exact fixture on 3 May. Chelsea have never conceded a goal in seven successive league matches with José Mourinho as manager. Cesc Fabregas (249) could become the third Spanish player, after Pepe Reina (285) and Mikel Arteta (276), to make 250 PL appearances. John Terry is suspended for this match. Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League matches without Terry (W7-D3), since the 2-0 defeat at Manchester City on 24 February 2013. This will be José Mourinho's 100th PL home match as a manager (W76-D22-L1) and 200th PL match overall. Mourinho's last six PL defeats have all been against managers with a family name beginning with P: Pulis (Crystal Palace), Poyet (Sunderland), Pardew (Newcastle United), Pochettino (Tottenham Hotspurs), Pulis (West Bromwich Albion) and Pellegrini (Manchester City). Crystal Palace Crystal Palace have never taken more than six points from their opening four matches of a Premier League season (6 in 1997/98). Only once before have the Eagles won their first two away matches of a top flight season. In 1997/98 they won at both Everton and Leeds United, but still went on to be relegated. Crystal Palace could equal the club top flight record for consecutive away victories. They won three in a row in April 2014 and from January to February 2015. Winless in all 15 top flight away matches against the reigning champions (D2-L13), scoring only seven goals. Crystal Palace won their most recent Premier League match against the reigning champions. On 6 April 2015, they beat Manchester City 2-1 at Selhurst Park. Only Manchester City (7) have had more different PL goalscorers than Crystal Palace (6) this season. Alan Pardew could become the first manager to win three league matches against a team managed by José Mourinho (includes top flights in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain).
Liverpool West Ham United (29 August, Anfield) Liverpool are unbeaten in 42 top flight home matches against West Ham United (W31-D11), since a 2-1 defeat in the old Division One on 14 September 1963. Liverpool only have a longer top flight unbeaten home streak against Stoke City (all 52 matches). West Ham's only other top flight win at Liverpool was a 3-1 victory on 4 February 1928. West Ham (19) have played more Premier League matches at Anfield without ever winning than any other club (Sunderland and Middlesbrough next 14). Liverpool have conceded only seven goals in their last 30 top flight home matches against West Ham. It is more than nine years since a West Ham player scored for them in a Premier League match at Anfield, Bobby Zamora in the 2-1 defeat on 26 August 2006. The Hammers' only Premier League goal at Anfield since then was a Martin Skrtel own goal in the 4-1 loss on 7 December 2013. West Ham have won only two of their last 13 Premier League matches against Liverpool (D2-L9), 3-1 home victories on 27 February 2011 and 20 September 2014. Liverpool If Liverpool win they will equal their highest points total after four matches of a Premier League season (10 in 1994/95, 1998/99, 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2013/14). Only once before have Liverpool started a Premier League season with four clean sheets (2005/06). Manchester United (1997/98), Chelsea (2005/06) and Portsmouth (2006/07) are the only other clubs not to concede a goal in their opening four matches of a Premier League season. The Red Devils and Manchester City could also still achieve this in 2015/16. Liverpool have not won consecutive PL home matches without conceding a goal since their opening two home fixtures of the 2013/14 season, 1-0 victories against Stoke City and Manchester United (they had also won their final home match of 2012/13 1-0 versus Queens Park Rangers). Liverpool could remain winless in four consecutive Premier League matches against London opposition for the first time since February to May 2012. Simon Mignolet has kept 12 Premier League clean sheets in 2015, a league high for a goalkeeper (Joe Hart next 10), but only four of the Belgian's Premier League clean sheets in this calendar year came at Anfield. Philippe Coutinho has had 15 shot attempts this season, a league high (Depay/Mahrez next 14). West Ham United Only once before have West Ham won their first two away matches of a Premier League season. In 2007/08 they won 1-0 at Birmingham City and 3-0 at Reading, having failed to win either of their opening two home matches (D1-L1). If West Ham (3) lose they will have their lowest points tally after four matches of a Premier League season since 2010/11, when they lost their opening four matches in a campaign that ended with relegation. West Ham have lost five of their last six Premier League matches. The only exception in that run was the 2-0 win at Arsenal on 9 August. West Ham could win consecutive Premier League away matches for the first time since December 2007, when they followed a 1-0 victory at Blackburn Rovers with a 2-1 win at Middlesbrough. West Ham could keep consecutive Premier League away clean sheets for the first time since a run of three in a row from January to February 2014. West Ham have scored four Premier League set-piece goals this season, a league high. Slaven Bilic was the Besiktas manager when they knocked Liverpool out of last season's Europa League 5-4 on penalties in the round of 32 after a 1-1 aggregate draw. Dejan Lovren missed the decisive penalty.
Manchester City Watford (29 August, Etihad Stadium) Manchester City have won only one of their eight top flight matches against Watford (D3-L4), the 1-0 home victory in the first top flight meeting between the clubs in the old Division One on 4 September 1982. In the only previous season both teams were in the Premier League (2006/07) both matches ended in a draw, 0-0 at Etihad Stadium and 1-1 at Vicarage Road. Manchester City's last league home win against Watford was a 3-0 victory in the old First Division (second tier) on 11 August 2001. Shaun Goater, Eyal Berkovic and Stuart Pearce scored their goals. Both of Watford's league wins at Manchester City came in the top flight, 1-0 on 15 March 1986 and 2-1 on 18 April 1987. These teams last met on 25 January 2014 in the FA Cup fourth round at Etihad Stadium. Watford led 2-0 at half-time, but Manchester City came back to win 4-2 with help from a Sergio Aguero hat-trick. Manchester City Manchester City will become the 10th team to play 700 Premier League matches. The Citizens could win their opening four matches of a PL season for the third time, after 2009/10 and 2011/12. They went on to finish those campaigns fifth and champions respectively. Manchester City could keep a clean sheet in their first four matches of a top flight season for the first time. Manchester United (1997/98), Liverpool (2005/06), Chelsea (2005/06) and Portsmouth (2006/07) are the only clubs not to concede a goal in their opening four matches of a PL season. Manchester United and Liverpool could also still achieve this in 2015/16. Manchester City have won nine consecutive PL matches, equalling the club top flight record for most consecutive victories set from April to September 1912. Liverpool (11 from February to April 2014) were the last team to have a longer PL winning streak. City could keep five consecutive PL clean sheets for the first time since February to March 2014. City have won eight consecutive PL home matches, keeping a clean sheet in seven of those victories. Aston Villa (3-2, 25 April) were the only opposition team to find the net in that run. City are unbeaten in 24 PL home matches against promoted opposition (W22-D2), since the 2-0 defeat against Reading on 3 February 2007. Sergio Agüero could equal the club PL record of scoring in six consecutive PL home matches, set by Alvaro Negredo from October to December 2013. Watford Watford have remained unbeaten in their first three matches of a top flight season for the first time. Watford could become the sixth promoted team, after Ipswich Town (1992/93), Blackburn Rovers (1992/93), Nottingham Forest (1994/95), Bolton Wanderers (2001/02) and Portsmouth (2003/04), to remain unbeaten in their opening four matches of a PL season. The five previous teams all avoided relegation. In Watford's most recent PL season (2006/07) they did not record a win until their 11th match. Only Crystal Palace (1992/93), Stoke City (2012/13) and Sunderland (2012/13) have drawn their opening four matches of a Premier League season. Watford are unbeaten in five PL matches (W1-D4), since a 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United on 28 April 2007. April to May 1985 was the last time they had a longer top flight unbeaten run (7 matches). Watford could keep three consecutive PL clean sheets for the second time, after October-November 2006. Quique and Manuel Pellegrini were last opposition managers in La Liga in 2010/11 with Atlético Madrid and Málaga respectively. Both matches that season were won 3-0 by the away team.
Tottenham Hotspur Everton (29 August, White Hart Lane) Everton are one short of 50 league wins against Tottenham Hotspur (all divisions). Spurs have won three consecutive Premier League matches against Everton. Only twice before have they had a longer top flight winning streak versus the Toffees (5 from September 1992 to August 1994 and 4 from October 2004 to April 2006). Everton are winless in their last five Premier League matches against Spurs (D2-L3), since the 2-1 home victory on 9 December 2012. Spurs are unbeaten in their last six Premier League home matches against Everton (W4-D2), since a 1-0 defeat on 30 November 2008. A Vedran Corluka own goal separated the teams in that match. Tottenham have won more Premier League matches against Everton (22) than versus any other opponent (20 against Manchester City). Tottenham Hotspur Spurs could remain winless in their opening four matches of a Premier League season for the fourth time, after 1992/93, 1995/96 and 2008/09. They finished eighth in each of those campaigns. Only once before have Spurs drawn three of their opening four matches of a top flight campaign (1971/72). Spurs could remain winless in their first two home matches of a Premier League season for the first time since 2012/13, when they drew 1-1 against both West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City. Spurs could draw three consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since January 2013. Spurs' last Premier League win was the 1-0 victory at Everton on the final day of last season (24 May). Spurs kept only one clean sheet in their 10 PL home matches of 2015, in the 2-0 win against Hull on 16 May. In 2015, there have been 70 goals in Premier League matches involving Spurs. Only PL fixtures with Manchester City (71) have produced more goals in this calendar year. Harry Kane has scored only two goals in his last 11 Premier League appearances, but one of those was in the 1-0 win at Everton on 24 May. Mauricio Pochettino has lost only one of his five Premier League matches as a manager against Everton (W3-D1), when his Southampton team lost 2-1 at Goodison Park on 29 December 2013. Everton Everton could win their opening two away matches of a Premier League season for the second time after 2008/09, when they won at West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City. Only once before have Everton kept a clean sheet in their first two away matches of a Premier League season. In 1995/96, they drew 0-0 at Chelsea and won 2-0 at Manchester City. In his six previous seasons as a Premier League manager Roberto Martinez has never won more than six points from his opening four matches (6 with Everton in 2013/14). Everton could win three consecutive PL away matches for the first time since March to April 2014. Everton could keep consecutive Premier League away clean sheets for the first time since a run of three in a row from October to December 2013. Everton could win three consecutive top flight matches in London for the first time since January-April 1987. Of Romelu Lukaku's six Premier League goals in 2015, five have been scored away from Goodison Park. Lukaku has scored only three goals in 20 PL appearances in London (for Chelsea, West Brom and Everton). Roberto Martinez has won only two of his 12 PL matches as a manager against Spurs (D3-L7), but both victories were at White Hart Lane, 1-0 with Wigan Athletic on 28 August 2010 and 3 November 2012.
Swansea City Manchester United (30 August, Liberty Stadium) Swansea City did the Premier League double against Manchester United last season, winning 2-1 home and away. The Swans were the only team to do the league double versus the Red Devils in 2014/15. Swansea's only other top flight win against Manchester United (D2-L7) was the 2-0 home victory in the old Division One on 30 January 1982. Alan Curtis and Robbie James scored the goals. Manchester United have won only two of their 12 league matches at Swansea (D3-L7). Both came in the PL era, 1-0 on 19 November 2011 and 4-1 on 17 August 2013. There has been only one goalless draw in the 24 league matches between the teams. That was at the Vetch Field in the old Division One on 18 December 1982. Manchester United have scored in all nine top flight matches against Swansea since that goalless draw. Swansea City Swansea could remain unbeaten in their opening four matches of a top flight season for the first time. Not since 1988/89 in the old Division Three have they remained unbeaten in their first four of a league campaign. Swansea could win their first two home matches of a Premier League season for the second time, after 2014/15 when they beat Burnley 1-0 and West Bromwich Albion 3-0. Lost only one of their last five PL home matches (W3-D1), the 4-2 defeat against Manchester City on 17 May. Swansea have scored in 15 of their last 17 Premier League home matches. Chelsea and Liverpool are the only visiting teams to keep a PL clean sheet at Liberty Stadium in that run. Swansea have won only one of their last 12 PL home matches played on a Sunday (D5-L6), the 2-1 victory against Arsenal on 9 November 2014. Bafetimbi Gomis could become the first Swansea player to score in each of the first four matches of a top flight season. Michu also scored in the opening three Premier League matches of 2012/13. Ki Sung-Yueng scored in both Premier League matches against Manchester United last season. Garry Monk could become the third manager, after Carlo Ancelotti and Manuel Pellegrini, to win his first three Premier League matches against Manchester United. Manchester United Manchester United have remained unbeaten in their opening four matches in 13 of their previous 23 Premier League seasons, but not since 2011/12. Only once before have Manchester United started a PL season with four clean sheets (1997/98). Liverpool (2005/06), Chelsea (2005/06) and Portsmouth (2006/07) are the only other clubs not to concede a goal in their opening four matches of a PL season. Liverpool and City could also still achieve this in 2015/16. United could keep five consecutive Premier League clean sheets for the first time since a run of six in a row from February to March 2013. United have scored more than once in only one of their last nine PL matches, the 2-1 win at Palace on 9 May. Wayne Rooney (170) is one short of equalling Denis Law (171) in joint-third of the club's all-time leading league scorers. Only Bobby Charlton (199) and Jack Rowley (182) have scored more. Rooney has failed to score in his last nine Premier League appearances. Only once before has he gone 10 consecutive PL appearances without finding the net, for Everton from August to December 2003. Rooney has scored only one goal in six PL matches against Swansea, in the 2-1 home defeat last season. Only Philippe Coutinho (15) has had more PL shot attempts than Memphis Depay (14) this season. Sergio Romero could become the second goalkeeper after Anders Lindegaard in 2011 to keep a clean sheet in each of his first four Premier League appearances for Manchester United.