The Premier League is back this weekend after what feels like an age.
But with new managers, new contracts and new hopes to focus on what do the stats tell us about this weekend’s action?
Here’s a look at the best of the Saturday facts from Opta.
Not you again…
Manchester City are in the headlines again with the reported news that manager Pep Guardiola has agreed to stay on for another season at least. City have lost each of their last four matches in all competitions, though – Pep’s longest losing run in his entire managerial career.
The legendary boss will not want to know that his City have lost more Premier League games (six) and conceded more Premier League goals (22) against Tottenham Hotspur than they have vs any other opponent.
Of course they play Spurs on Saturday…
Jarrad the man
Since the start of last season, Everton have a win percentage of 35% and have earned 1.3 points-per-game in the Premier League when Branthwaite starts, compared to a 17% win percentage and 0.8 points-per-game without him in their starting XI.
Indeed, they’ve lost just one of the last eight league games in which he has started (W5 D2).
Cole to score before the break?
Chelsea kick the Premier League weekend back into action in the lunchtime kick-off at Leicester and will be hoping Cole Palmer is fit to feature.
Cole Palmer’s response when asked what he did with his Man City treble medals 🥶 pic.twitter.com/eLHHshhpqJ
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 20, 2024
Palmer missed the England games last week but has been directly involved in 10 goals in just five Premier League appearances against promoted sides for Chelsea (six goals, four assists), averaging a goal or assist every 43 minutes in such matches.
Banker of the week
Aston Villa have had a little bit of a wobble but can take heart in this fact when they face Crystal Palace at Villa Park: The away side has won just three of the 24 Premier League meetings between Villa and Palace (D6 L15), with the Eagles’ only victory at Villa Park coming in December 2013 (1-0).
Landmark for Mikel
💬 “I love the philosophy of Arteta.”
Dennis Bergkamp speaks on what this team could achieve on Live from N5 👇 pic.twitter.com/5u4RSXhpDS
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 20, 2024
Arsenal need a return to winning ways in a tough-looking match against Nottingham Forest.
This will be Mikel Arteta’s 250th match in charge of Arsenal in all competitions, the 10th manager to reach that milestone for the club. He’s already got more wins than any other manager in their first 250 (146), while he has the highest win rate of any manager in the club’s history (58.6% – minimum 50 games).
