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Premier League in numbers: Matchday 1 preview

Sports Mole previews this weekend's Premier League fixtures, with the aid of a selection of statistics from each game taking place.

A new campaign brings with it plenty of hope for supporters up and down the land, whether it be a side aiming to avoid relegation or one expected to battle it out at the top.

The opening weekend of the Premier League campaign often provides memorable moments aplenty, as teams look to lay down a marker for the campaign ahead.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the first round of fixtures, with a selection of statistics from each game taking place to whet the appetite.


Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Memphis Depay and Wayne Rooney of Manchester United during an International Champions Cup game in San Jose on July 21, 2015© Getty Images

United's defeat to Swansea at Old Trafford last season was the first time since 1972-73 that they have lost at home on the opening weekend.

Harry Kane won his side 24 points with his goals last season - more than any other player - while Wayne Rooney has scored more goals on the opening weekend than any other current Premier League player (6).

The Red Devils are the only team to lose on the opening weekend but go on to win the title (1992-93, 1995-96 and 2012-13).

Spurs had gone five Prem games unbeaten against the Red Devils (W2 D3) before losing 3-0 at Old Trafford in March.


Bournemouth vs. Aston Villa

Sylvain Distin #25 of AFC Bournemouth plays in the friendly match against the Philadelphia Union on July 14, 2015© Getty Images

The last two teams to gain promotion to the top flight for the first time (Reading and Hull) have both opened with a home win.

After a run of four consecutive opening-day fixtures at Villa Park, the Villans have since been on the road in their last five, while they have also never beaten a newly-promoted side on the opening day (D1 L2).

Only 14 players have made more Premier League appearances than Bournemouth new boy Sylvain Distin (457).

Eddie Howe's side scored 98 league goals in 2014-15; only MK Dons (101) scored more in the top four tiers.


Everton vs. Watford

Roberto Martinez, manager of Everton looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Hull City and Everton at KC Stadium on January 1, 2015 © Getty Images

Everton have conceded more goals on the opening weekend than any other Premier League side (35).

Watford's last defeat on the opening weekend of a season was back in 2006-07 vs. Everton; the last time they were in the Premier League.

The Hornets were one of only two teams (along with Blackburn Rovers) in the top four tiers to see two players reach 20 goals last season (Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney).

This will be the sixth Prem game between two Spanish managers. Roberto Martinez has appeared in five of them (vs. Rafael Benitez three times, Pepe Mel once and now Quique Sanchez Flores), while the other was contested between Benitez and Juande Ramos.


Leicester City vs. Sunderland

Claudio Ranieri, Manager of Leicester City during the Pre Season Friendlly match between Lincoln City and Leicester City at Sincil Bank Stadium on July 21, 2015© Getty Images

Leicester have scored exactly two goals in six of their last seven matches on the opening day, including in the PL last term vs. Everton.

The last Sunderland manager to win a Premier League game on the opening weekend was Steve Bruce vs. Bolton Wanderers in 2009-10 (D4 L1 since).

Leicester have not beaten Sunderland since November 2001, when Ade Akinbiyi scored the game's only goal.

From the start of April until the end of last season, Leicester won more points than any other Premier League side (22).


Norwich City vs. Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew looks on ahead of a Pre Season Friendly between Barnet and Crystal Palace at The Hive on July 11, 2015© Getty Images

Norwich are winless in their last 12 opening-day matches in league competition (D6 L6), while Palace have lost their last four season openers.

The Canaries have scored exactly once in 10 of their last 12 league games against Palace, failing to score in each of the other two.

If last season's Premier League had started when Alan Pardew took over at Palace, the Eagles would have finished sixth.

No Championship midfielder scored more goals last term than Bradley Johnson (15) - level with Matt Ritchie and Bakary Sako.


Chelsea vs. Swansea City

Chelsea's Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge in London on March 15, 2015© Getty Images

In 23 Premier League seasons, the defending champion has never lost their opening game (winning 20 and drawing three).

Swansea have scored as many goals in their last three season openers (8) as they did in the previous nine games combined.

Chelsea have won 14 and lost none of their last 16 Premier League fixtures on the opening weekend. The Blues have not lost a season opener since 1998-99 vs. Coventry City.

Diego Costa has scored more PL goals against Swansea than any other player (5), despite only playing twice against the Welsh side.


Arsenal vs. West Ham United

Petr Cech of Arsenal shouts instructions during the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and VfL Wolfsburg at the Emirates Stadium on July 26, 2015© Getty Images

Arsenal have lost just one of their last 14 Premier League fixtures on the opening weekend, winning nine and drawing four, while West Ham have lost more games on the opening weekend than any other side (9).

Arsene Wenger's men have been shown more red cards on the opening day than any other Premier League side (6).

The Hammers won on their last trip to Highbury in 2005-06 and on their first trip to the Emirates in 2006-07, but have not won at Arsenal in the league since (D1 L6).

Petr Cech has posted the best save-to-shot ratio (minimum of 50 saves) of any goalkeeper in the Premier League over the last three seasons (78%).


Newcastle United vs. Southampton

Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren watches on during the pre season friendly between Gateshead and Newcastle United at Gateshead International Stadium on July 10, 2015© Getty Images

Newcastle have failed to score in four of their last five opening weekend PL fixtures, though they have faced Man City (twice), Arsenal, Man Utd and Tottenham in that run.

The Magpies have only managed one clean sheet in their last 16 top-flight clashes against Southampton, but Newcastle have scored in 14 of their 15 Premier League home games against the Saints.

Southampton have won their last three league games against Newcastle, scoring 10 and conceding just one.

Newcastle have failed to win consecutive league games since November 2014.


Stoke City vs. Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers manager of Liverpool reacts during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Liverpool at Britannia Stadium on May 24, 2015© Getty Images

This fixture will be the first in Premier League history to be played in consecutive games at the same venue.

Liverpool have only drawn a blank three times on the opening weekend of a Premier League campaign (92-93, 05-06, 12-13).

Stoke have won just once on the opening weekend of a Premier League season - 2009-10 vs Burnley.

Liverpool have been shown more yellow cards on the opening weekend than any other team in Premier League history (44).


West Bromwich Albion vs. Manchester City

West Bromwich Albion's Welsh manager Tony Pulis shouts from the touchline during the English Premier League football match against Everton on January 19, 2015© Getty Images

West Brom have kept 10 clean sheets in 18 league games under Tony Pulis.

The Citizens have won five and drawn one of their last six season openers in the Premier League.

The Baggies' last five season openers have all been played at The Hawthorns, with their only win in this run arriving against Liverpool back in 2012/13 (D1 L2).

Each of the last five eventual Premier League title-winning teams have started their season on a Monday night.


All stats courtesy of Opta.

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416


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