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Premier League in numbers: Week 38 preview

Sports Mole looks ahead to the final round of Premier League fixtures, using a selection of statistics from all 10 games taking place this weekend.

The final weekend of the Premier League season is upon us and, while matters may have been resolved at the top, there is still plenty to play for elsewhere.

Hull City will need to pick up their first ever top-flight win in the month of May, while at the same time ending a poor run against Manchester United, if they are to stand any chance of avoiding the drop.

Should the Tigers meet their half of the bargain, they still require Newcastle United to slip up at home to West Ham United, although having lost nine of their last 10 games the signs do not look all that promising for the Magpies.

A precious point for Sunderland away at Arsenal in midweek ensures that their meeting against league champions Chelsea is merely a dead rubber at this stage, while Manchester City - who host Southampton - are guaranteed second place as a result of events elsewhere in the week.

That just leaves Man United and Arsenal to jostle it out for third place, with the Gunners three points ahead of their opponents and boasting a superior goal difference.

Southampton, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur can all change positions inside the top six this weekend, also, as just two points currently separate the trio.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look ahead to the 38th and final round of fixtures, using a selection of statistics from all 10 games to whet the appetite.


Arsenal vs. West Bromwich Albion

Danny Welbeck of Arsenal and Andre Wisdom of West Brom during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns on November 29, 2014© Getty Images

Arsenal have won each of their last six league games against West Brom.

The Baggies have never kept a clean sheet against Arsenal in the Premier League, having conceded 35 goals in 17 matches.

Arsene Wenger's charges are unbeaten on the final day in each of the last nine seasons, which is the longest current run of any side in the division.

Since 2006 Arsenal, who are currently third in the table, have finished the Premier League in the following positions: 4th, 4th, 3rd, 4th, 3rd, 4th, 3rd, 4th and 4th.


Aston Villa vs. Burnley

Danny Ings of Burnley scores his team's first goal from the penalty spot during the Barclays Premier League match between Burnley and Aston Villa at Turf Moor on November 29, 2014© Getty Images

Burnley have not won a top-flight league game at Villa Park since April 1967.

If the Clarets lose they will have taken exactly the same number of points in their two seasons in the Premier League (30).

This season is the 11th time Burnley have been relegated in their league history and the seventh time from the top flight.

Villa have scored 31 goals in the Premier League this season - five short of their previous lowest tally ever in a single league season which stands at 36 (Division Two in 1969-70).


Chelsea vs. Sunderland

Sunderland's English midfielder Lee Cattermole vies with Chelseas Brazilian midfielder Willian during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Chelsea at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland, north east England on November 29, 2014© Getty Images

If Chelsea fail to win they will be only the second champions in the last 12 seasons to end with fewer than 86 points (Manchester United in 2010-11 with 80).

Diego Costa needs one more goal to become the fourth player to score 20 Premier League goals in a single season for Chelsea, alongside Didier Drogba (twice), Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (twice) and Frank Lampard.

The Blues have not lost successive top-flight games under Jose Mourinho since May 2006, when they were also in the position of having won the league already.

Sunderland have won only one of their 13 final day games in Premier League history (against West Ham in 2011).


Crystal Palace vs. Swansea City

Glenn Murray of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring the equalising goal from the penalty spot during the Barclays Premier League match against Swansea City on March 2, 2014© Getty Images

Palace have scored just two goals in their last seven matches against Swansea, while they have never scored more than once in a game.

Alan Pardew has won nine of his 17 Premier League games in charge of Palace, compared to Neil Warnock's total of three from 16 earlier in the campaign.

Glenn Murray has scored seven times and assisted three in his last 11 league games for the Eagles.

The Swans have won their last three games without conceding against Palace at Selhurst Park.


Everton vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Seamus Coleman of Everton is tackled by Hugo Lloris of Spurs during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at White Hart Lane on November 30, 2014© Getty Images

Everton have gone seven matches without defeat at home to Tottenham in the Premier League, winning three of those games and drawing four.

Spurs have won on the final day in each of the last four seasons, which is the longest current run in the division.

Leighton Baines needs one more assist to reach double figures for only the second time in his career.

Aaron Lennon has played 14 times for the Toffees without assisting a single goal, but he set up two for Tottenham in nine appearances earlier in the campaign.


Hull City vs. Manchester United

Wayne Rooney of Manchester United scores their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Hull City at Old Trafford on November 29, 2014 © Getty Images

Hull have lost all seven previous Premier League encounters with United, conceding 21 goals in the process, while also never winning a game in the month of May.

Wayne Rooney has scored seven and assisted three more in five top-flight games against the Tigers.

United last lost away from home on the final day at Tottenham in 2001, but they still won the league by 10 points that season.

The Red Devils have gone eight league games without a clean sheet for the first time since September 2001.


Leicester City vs. Queens Park Rangers

Charlie Austin of QPR scores his team's third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Leicester City at Loftus Road on November 29, 2014© Getty Images

Leicester have won only two of their last 33 top-flight games against London sides, losing 22 and drawing nine).

Matt Phillips has provided eight assists in 2015, more than any other Premier League player.

Jamie Vardy, who was this week called up to the England national side for the first time, has eight assists from open play this season, taking him level with Premier League Player of the Season Eden Hazard.

QPR have never lost to Leicester City in the Premier League, winning two and drawing one of their previous meetings.


Manchester City vs. Southampton

 Frank Lampard of Manchester City shoots past Maya Yoshida of Southampton to score their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester City at St Mary's Stadium on November 30, 2014 © Getty Images

City have won their last three Prem home games against Southampton, having lost the three beforehand.

The Saints have found the back of the net on each of their last nine trips to City in the Premier League.

Sergio Aguero has been substituted 12 times this season, which is a record low for him in a PL campaign.

Southampton have ended the campaign with a 1-1 draw in each of the last two years.


Newcastle United vs. West Ham United

West Ham United's English midfielder Mark Noble vies with Newcastle United's English midfielder Jack Colback during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at the Boleyn Ground, Upton Park, in east London on © Getty Images

Newcastle have lost only one of their last 11 league games against West Ham at St James' Park (W5 D5).

West Ham have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five PL matches against the Magpies.

John Carver's side are on the longest current final day winless run in the Premier League with seven games.

The Hammers have conceded at least two goals on the final day in each of the last three seasons.


Stoke City vs. Liverpool

Liverpool's English striker Rickie Lambert celebrates as Liverpool's English defender Glen Johnson scores during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Stoke City at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on November 29, 2014© Getty Images

Jonathan Walters has scored in each of his last three league appearances against Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium (four goals in total).

Steven Gerrard has scored 50 away goals in the Premier League, with this match being his 250th - and last - away appearance in the competition should he feature.

The departing skipper currently has a club-high eight goals this term. The last time Liverpool had no players reaching 10+ league goals was 2004-05, when Milan Baros had nine.

Liverpool have lost their last two away games on the final day of the campaign (1-0 at Swansea in 2012, 1-0 at Villa in 2011).


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Manager Brendan Rodgers of Liverpool and Jose Mourinho manager of Chelsea look on from the touchline during the Barclays Premier League match on April 27, 2014
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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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