Starting the season at home doesn’t actually help Arsenal

Countering a popular North London conspiracy theory

The fixtures for the 2009-10 season are released on Wednesday and the luck of the draw can have a significant impact on a team’s fortunes.

Cynical? Well take the example of Stoke, who faced the Big Four seven times in their opening 22 fixtures last season. By the end of that period they were in the relegation zone with 21 points but it mean that they had 15 successive games against tiring, less intimidating teams before facing Arsenal on the final day. They took 24 points from those games, guaranteeing safety with two games to spare and rendering a 4-1 loss at the Emirates irrelevant.

There’s a popular conspiracy theory among Tottenham fans that the fixture generators favour Arsenal and neglect them, which is backed up by the fact the Gunners have started 13 of their 17 Premier League campaigns at home, while Spurs have kicked off just four of theirs at White Hart Lane.

Those figures suggest that they have a case, although they don’t take into account that Arsenal actually fare better when they start on the road.

Posted: June 15th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 2 Comments

Stats for all of this weekend’s Premier League matches

For Man Utd/Arsenal stats, check out our Correct Score wizard

Baffled by Sky’s decision to broadcast a nothing match between Chelsea and Blackburn over games that will have a huge impact on the relegation battle and the race for seventh, we’ve decided to instead publish a stat for every league match taking place this weekend:

Bolton v Hull
Gary Megson’s side are unbeaten at home to sides below them in the table and have won their final league game at the Reebok in three of the last four years.

Everton v West Ham
The Toffees have lost just one of their last 13 home games in all competitions while West Ham haven’t beaten a top-six side all season.

Middlesbrough v Aston Villa

Posted: May 15th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Newcastle and Spurs should provide Arsenal and Chelsea with tough tests

A stat on every Premier League game taking place this weekend

Portsmouth v Everton (Saturday, 12.45pm, Sky Sports 1)
There have been under 2.5 goals in each of Everton’s last four trips to Fratton Park and their last ten away games.
Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at 1.66 on Betfair

Blackburn v West Ham
West Ham have won six straight games against Blackburn but have lost all five of their Premier League away games against Sam Allardyce sides.
Best Bet: The home win at evens with most bookmakers

Fulham v Manchester United
Both teams have scored in each of the champions’ last three league games and six of their seven Premier League trips to Craven Cottage.

Posted: March 20th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

West Ham and Aston Villa both face a difficult away day

Stats on tonight’s other five Premier League games

It’s a big night for the top-flight’s claret-and-blue crusaders as Aston Villa need to win away to Manchester City to extend their lead over Arsenal to six points while seventh-placed West Ham travel to eighth-placed Wigan in a battle that could be worth a place in Europe next season if two of the top six reach the FA Cup Final. Here are a few quick stats on each game:

Fulham v Hull
Hull have taken just three points from their last eleven games. The Tigers beat Fulham in August but have failed to complete a double over Arsenal, Spurs, West Ham and West Brom. The Cottagers have the second best home points average in the league and have lost once at Craven Cottage all season.

Manchester City v Aston Villa
Villa have won seven consecutive Premier League games on the road. However, they are winless in five and have lost six of their last seven away to the Citizens, who have won four straight home league matches.

Stoke v Bolton

Posted: March 4th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Spurs need to avoid another late collapse away to Hull

Hull/Tottenham, 8pm, Setanta Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Tonight sees a team that can’t win away from home travel to one who can’t find three points anywhere. Here’s everything that you need to know:

SPURS DON’T WIN AWAY…
Tottenham have lost seven consecutive away games in all competitions and have won just two league games on the road all season. They have only kept one domestic clean sheet away from White Hart Lane all season and their last four Premier League conquerors haven’t exactly been world beaters: Newcastle, West Brom, Wigan and Bolton.

…BUT HULL DON’T WIN ANYWHERE
Since winning six of their first nine Premier League games, Hull have won just one of sixteen. They are on a run of nine games without a win but drew away to Chelsea in their last outing. The Tigers have the worst home record in the division having won just three of their twelve league games at the KC Stadium, only one of which has come in their last eight.

HULL ARE YET TO DO THE DOUBLE

Posted: February 23rd, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Five reasons why Arsenal won’t beat Spurs on Sunday

Tottenham/Arsenal, 1.30pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Arsenal are on their longest unbeaten run of the season while Spurs are still in the relegation dogfight but their home form is still impressive under Harry Redknapp. Here are five reasons why they will maintain that by taking at least a point off their superior rivals:

1. Arsene Wenger’s side have won just one of their last seven away matches in all competitions. They have drawn their last three matches in all competitions and five of their last eight league games.

2. Tottenham are unbeaten in three meetings with their North London rivals.

3. Spurs have lost just one of thirteen home games under Harry Redknapp, winning eight.

4. Redknapp went unbeaten in his five home league meetings with Arsenal while managing Portsmouth and Southampton.

5. The Fabregas Factor

Posted: February 7th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 1 Comment