Paul Merson expects weekend wins for Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace but a Manchester derby draw.
Who does Alan Pardew play in this game? The kids that did great against Man City in the Capital One Cup or the team that won at Tottenham? I would say winning at Man City was a better result!
I'll still go for a 2-1 win for Liverpool, and let's see if Mario Balotelli can kick on after that good finish in the cup game against Swansea and go on and score a few more. The jury is still out on him though. One goal in the cup doesn't mean a lot.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2
I think Arsenal are waiting to rip someone up. Theo Walcott is back and I think he will make a difference, and I just don't know when Burnley are going to win a game.
If they don't win here and they don't win next week then the international break comes and they could be into December without winning a football match. For me, they are starting to hit a brick wall already.
As for Arsenal, I can see them hitting five here...
PAUL PREDICTS: 5-0
QPR beat Aston Villa on Monday night, which was a good result, but they were at home against a team that couldn't score a goal for toffee. I think Chelsea are head and shoulders above them and I think they will win.
Will they rest Diego Costa? I think he will play if he is fit because this is a big west London derby and Jose Mourinho will know how important it is for the fans.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0
This will be a good game and I expect a lot of goals. Everton are finding their way and wherever Swansea go they will have a go. Wilfried Bony scored a worldy goal last weekend and you have to give them their due because they always give you a game.
However, Everton are just starting to turn the corner after a slow start and I am just going for them to win.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-2
Graziano Pelle is on fire, as we saw with that outstanding goal in the Capital One Cup, but I can see Southampton only getting a draw. That's because I think Hull are a real threat again after going back to playing three at the back.
Believe it or not, I don't think there's a lot of difference between these two teams. If you take Pelle's goals and give them to Hull then it might be a bit different. I will go for 1-1.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1
There's a lot of good games in the fixture list this weekend and this will be one of them. A game like this might not have a big significance later in the season, but this will.
Leicester are terrible away from home at the moment and need to get to winning ways. At home they are a bit better and I will go for a draw in this game because West Brom are a good team and Saido Berahino is always a threat on the break.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1
I never like going against Stoke, who had a bad result in the Capital One Cup and will miss Peter Crouch after he got sent off. He will be a big miss, there's no doubt about that.
West Ham are going to go there and have a go with the confidence they are playing with at the moment, so there should be goals. However, it's a hard place to go, so I'm going to go for a Desmond.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2
If you'd have asked me three weeks ago, I'd have straight away gone for Man City to win easily, but I wouldn't say that now. I don't think you can turn form on and off like a tap and City are bordering on arrogance a bit now.
They were strolling around against Newcastle thinking they just had to turn up and they lost that game and they were 2-0 up against CSKA and thought the job was done, only to draw 2-2.
They thoroughly deserved to get beat by West Ham, David Silva is huge for them and he went off injured against Newcastle and so I reckon they will draw with Man United. That would be a good result for Man United - but not for the Premier League title race.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1
If you take away Burnley then I think both of these teams would pick the other as their preferred team to play this weekend. Tottenham would pick Aston Villa because they haven't been scoring goals and I think Villa would pick Tottenham because of that shocking result at home to Newcastle.
Christian Benteke is another game in to his return and I'm going to go for Villa to win 1-0 - but that's more my heart talking than my head, if I'm being honest.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0
I'm going to go for Palace here because they are a decent team and were unlucky not to beat West Brom last weekend.
I look at Sunderland and they're struggling at the moment, they really are. I thought they would put in a better performance against Arsenal but the goals they let in were bordering on atrocious.
I didn't think Gus Poyet needed to make too many changes last week against Arsenal, despite that 8-0 against Southampton, but he needs to make changes now for certain. I would keep the faith with Vito Mannone, as he has been a success, but I can see Palace scoring a few goals past him.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0
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Paul Merson expects weekend wins for Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace but a Manchester derby draw.
Who does Alan Pardew play in this game? The kids that did great against Man City in the Capital One Cup or the team that won at Tottenham? I would say winning at Man City was a better result!
I'll still go for a 2-1 win for Liverpool, and let's see if Mario Balotelli can kick on after that good finish in the cup game against Swansea and go on and score a few more. The jury is still out on him though. One goal in the cup doesn't mean a lot.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2
I think Arsenal are waiting to rip someone up. Theo Walcott is back and I think he will make a difference, and I just don't know when Burnley are going to win a game.
If they don't win here and they don't win next week then the international break comes and they could be into December without winning a football match. For me, they are starting to hit a brick wall already.
As for Arsenal, I can see them hitting five here...
PAUL PREDICTS: 5-0
QPR beat Aston Villa on Monday night, which was a good result, but they were at home against a team that couldn't score a goal for toffee. I think Chelsea are head and shoulders above them and I think they will win.
Will they rest Diego Costa? I think he will play if he is fit because this is a big west London derby and Jose Mourinho will know how important it is for the fans.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0
This will be a good game and I expect a lot of goals. Everton are finding their way and wherever Swansea go they will have a go. Wilfried Bony scored a worldy goal last weekend and you have to give them their due because they always give you a game.
However, Everton are just starting to turn the corner after a slow start and I am just going for them to win.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-2
Graziano Pelle is on fire, as we saw with that outstanding goal in the Capital One Cup, but I can see Southampton only getting a draw. That's because I think Hull are a real threat again after going back to playing three at the back.
Believe it or not, I don't think there's a lot of difference between these two teams. If you take Pelle's goals and give them to Hull then it might be a bit different. I will go for 1-1.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1
There's a lot of good games in the fixture list this weekend and this will be one of them. A game like this might not have a big significance later in the season, but this will.
Leicester are terrible away from home at the moment and need to get to winning ways. At home they are a bit better and I will go for a draw in this game because West Brom are a good team and Saido Berahino is always a threat on the break.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1
I never like going against Stoke, who had a bad result in the Capital One Cup and will miss Peter Crouch after he got sent off. He will be a big miss, there's no doubt about that.
West Ham are going to go there and have a go with the confidence they are playing with at the moment, so there should be goals. However, it's a hard place to go, so I'm going to go for a Desmond.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2
If you'd have asked me three weeks ago, I'd have straight away gone for Man City to win easily, but I wouldn't say that now. I don't think you can turn form on and off like a tap and City are bordering on arrogance a bit now.
They were strolling around against Newcastle thinking they just had to turn up and they lost that game and they were 2-0 up against CSKA and thought the job was done, only to draw 2-2.
They thoroughly deserved to get beat by West Ham, David Silva is huge for them and he went off injured against Newcastle and so I reckon they will draw with Man United. That would be a good result for Man United - but not for the Premier League title race.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1
If you take away Burnley then I think both of these teams would pick the other as their preferred team to play this weekend. Tottenham would pick Aston Villa because they haven't been scoring goals and I think Villa would pick Tottenham because of that shocking result at home to Newcastle.
Christian Benteke is another game in to his return and I'm going to go for Villa to win 1-0 - but that's more my heart talking than my head, if I'm being honest.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0
I'm going to go for Palace here because they are a decent team and were unlucky not to beat West Brom last weekend.
I look at Sunderland and they're struggling at the moment, they really are. I thought they would put in a better performance against Arsenal but the goals they let in were bordering on atrocious.
I didn't think Gus Poyet needed to make too many changes last week against Arsenal, despite that 8-0 against Southampton, but he needs to make changes now for certain. I would keep the faith with Vito Mannone, as he has been a success, but I can see Palace scoring a few goals past him.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0
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We have stats ahead of every Premier League game this weekend, including details of Man City's recent derby dominance and Arsenal's fightbacks.
Chelsea could move further ahead at the top of the Premier League this weekend, with Jose Mourinho's side entertaining second-bottom QPR on Saturday while second-placed Southampton visit Hull City.
Third-placed Manchester City have a derby to contend with the following day, while fourth-placed West Ham United also face a tricky game at Stoke.
Arsenal will hope to take advantage of any slip ups when they host rock-bottom Burnley, while sixth-placed Swansea and seventh-placed Liverpool are both away, at Everton and Newcastle respectively.
We take a look at the key Opta statistics ahead of the 10th round of games.
Newcastle United v Liverpool
Newcastle have had five players sent off in their last four Premier League games against Liverpool.
Only Everton (13 v Liverpool) have picked up more red cards against one single opponent than Newcastle against Liverpool (11).
Liverpool have scored more goals against Newcastle in the Premier League (84) than versus any other opponent.
The Reds have scored 598 goals away from home in Premier League history.
No fixture in Premier League history has produced more goals than clashes between Liverpool and Newcastle (129).
Against no side have Liverpool won more often than they have against Newcastle in the Premier League (23 wins - level with their record v Aston Villa).
Daniel Sturridge has scored six goals in eight Premier League games against Newcastle, including four in three for Liverpool. He is likely to miss this game, however, through injury.
Fabio Borini has scored three goals in three Premier League games against the Magpies - he's not scored more than once against any other opponent.
Liverpool have won four and lost just one of their last seven Premier League games against the Magpies (D2).
However, Newcastle United have won two and lost just one of the last four home games against the Reds in the Premier League.
Papiss Cisse has scored a goal every 61 minutes so far this season, the best record in the Premier League of all players to have scored more than once.
Arsenal v Burnley
Arsenal have been behind at some point in each of their four Premier League home games this season.
Burnley were the first lower-league team ever to beat an Arsene Wenger Arsenal team in a cup competition when they won 2-0 in the 2008-09 League Cup.
Arsenal have won their last three home matches in all competitions against the Clarets.
Burnley have conceded 12 goals in their last four games in the Premier League - this after previously keeping three clean sheets in a row.
Arsene Wenger's side are unbeaten in their last 22 home Premier League matches, winning 14 and drawing eight.
However, they have kept just two clean sheets in their last 10 PL games at The Emirates.
Theo Walcott is the only player to score in the two 2009-10 Premier League meetings between these sides to still be at either club.
Just 16.5% of Burnley's attempts on goal this season have been fashioned from set piece situations, a Premier League low.
Burnley are the 12th side to fail to win any of their opening nine Premier League matches of a single season - seven of the previous 11 sides were relegated.
Just nine teams have previously failed to win any of their opening 10 games in a Premier League season, the last being Reading and QPR in 2012-13.
Jason Shackell is the first Premier League player to make over 100 clearances this season (101).
Chelsea v Queens Park Rangers
Chelsea have failed to score in three of the last four Premier League games against west London rivals QPR.
QPR's last visit to Stamford Bridge saw QPR win 1-0 thanks to former Blues player Shaun Wright-Phillips (January 2013).
Cesc Fabregas has been involved in nine goals (one goal, eight assists) in nine league games for Chelsea.
QPR have won just one of their last 18 away trips to rival London clubs in the Premier League (D3 L14).
Harry Redknapp has lost just one of his last six Premier League clashes with Chelsea (W2 D3).
However, he has seen his teams lose all five league clashes with Jose Mourinho's Chelsea.
In their last 12 league matches at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have kept 10 clean sheets and conceded just four goals in total.
The last time a side in the Premier League relegation zone went to the home of the league leaders and won was September 2001 (Southampton beating Sam Allardyce's Bolton 1-0). Since then, the league leaders have won 24 of their 26 home matches against a side in the relegation zone (D2).
Charlie Austin has scored 23 league goals for QPR since the beginning of last season (incl. play-offs), 17 more than any other player (Ravel Morrison - 6).
Steven Caulker is the only QPR player to have started every league game so far this season. By contrast, seven of Chelsea's players have started each and every PL game so far, a joint-league high with Southampton.
Everton v Swansea City
Romelu Lukaku has scored in three of his five Premier League appearances against Swansea City.
Swansea beat Everton 3-0 earlier this season in the League Cup, which was their first win against the Toffees in any competition after 15 defeats and five draws.
Everton have never lost to Swansea City in the league (18 games). This is the most league games between two teams without any defeat ever by one team against another in the top four tiers of English league football.
Ross Barkley scored the winning goal in each of last season's two league games between Everton and Swansea.
Wilfried Bony has now scored 20 Premier League goals for Swansea, the joint most for the Swans in the competition alongside Michu.
The Toffees have won 199 home games in Premier League history.
Swansea City have used just 18 players this season, fewer than any other team in the Premier League.
Roberto Martinez's men are so far the most accurate shooters in the top flight this season, hitting the target with 54% of efforts.
The Toffees have scored a joint league-high four goals from outside the area (alongside West Ham).
Conversely, Swansea are one of four sides yet to concede a goal from outside the box in the Premier League this season.
The Swans have seen four of their efforts cleared off the line, more than any other in the Premier League this season.
Hull City v Southampton
Hull City have drawn five of their nine Premier League games this season - they only drew seven in the whole of 2013-14.
Southampton have won their last four league games against Hull and lost just one of the last 16 in all comps (W10 D5 L1), including a meeting in the Full Members Cup in 1986-87.
Southampton have won six of their opening nine games in a top-flight season for the first time in their history.
Ronald Koeman's side have conceded just five league goals this season, fewer than any other team in England's top four divisions.
Four of those five goals have been conceded on the road, with the Saints managing just one clean sheet in four games away from St Mary's in the PL this term.
Southampton have won every game that they have scored first in this season in the Premier League (5/5).
No-one has dropped more points from leading positions this season than Hull City (8 - level with Swansea City).
Hull (11 points, 10th position) are exactly where they were after nine games of the season in 2013-14, although they have lost only two games this season (W2 D5) compared to four at this stage last season (W3 D2).
The Tigers have scored exactly two goals in each of their last three home league games (W1 D1 L1).
No side have caught their opponents offside on fewer occasions this season than Hull City (6; level with Stoke).
Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion
Leicester City have failed to score in three of their last four Premier League games.
West Brom have won seven and lost just one of their last nine matches in all competitions against Leicester.
Despite this being both West Brom and Leicester's ninth different season as a Premier League club, this will be their first meeting in the competition.
No side has conceded the first goal in more games this season than Leicester (7; level with Newcastle and QPR).
Leonardo Ulloa has attempted 10 of Leicester's 59 shots (excl. blocked) so far this season. However, the striker hasn't managed a single one in his last four league appearances.
The Baggies have won just one of their last seven away trips in the Premier League (D1 L5), with that win coming in September against Tottenham (1-0).
WBA have scored just four goals in their last nine away games in the league, firing blanks in five of these games.
This is the fourth time in their nine Premier League seasons that Leicester have failed to reach 10 points from their opening nine games. In the previous three, they have been relegated.
Saido Berahino is the top-scoring English player in the Premier League this season (seven goals).
Berahino has scored in West Brom's last four Premier League matches. The last WBA player to score in five successive PL games was Peter Odemwingie in May 2011.
Stoke City v West Ham United
Stoke City have won eight of their last 12 Premier League home games (L3 D1).
West Ham have now scored in eight successive Premier League games, their best run in the competition since Nov 2009 (10 games).
Diafra Sakho became only the second player in Premier League history to score in his first six starts in the competition thanks to his goal versus Man City (after Mick Quinn). No-one has ever scored in their first seven.
Stoke have allowed their opponents fewer shots on target than any other side in the Premier League (22).
West Ham are seven points better off compared to their equivalent matches against the same opposition from last season, the best such record in the Premier League.
Just six goals have been scored at the Britannia Stadium so far this season, fewer than any other Premier League ground.
Mark Arnautovic is yet to hit the target with any of his 11 shots in the Premier League this season (including blocked).
If he features, Carlton Cole will play his 200th Premier League game for West Ham. Only two players Steve Potts (204) and Mark Noble (201 currently) have featured more.
Only Paolo Di Canio (47) has scored more Premier League goals for West Ham than Cole (41).
The Hammers squad have had 35 headed shots in the Premier League so far this season, 17 more than any other team (Sunderland, Chelsea and QPR all on 18). They have scored seven headed goals, a league high.
Manchester City v Manchester United
Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero have both scored four goals in five Premier League appearances against Manchester United.
Manchester City have won five and lost just one of the last six Premier League Manchester derbies.
Yaya Toure has scored in three of his last four Premier League appearances against United.
Wayne Rooney has scored four goals in his last five Premier League appearances at the Etihad Stadium, including three in his last two games there.
Rooney is the top scorer in Manchester derbies, both overall and in the Premier League - 11 in all comps, and eight in the Premier League.
Man City have won the last three Manchester derbies in the Premier League. They have not won four in a row in the league since December 1970.
Since he made his Premier League debut in August 2010, no player has assisted as many goals (41) or created as many goalscoring chances (389) as David Silva.
Despite being only nine games in to the Premier League season, David De Gea is the only United player to have appeared in every game so far.
Since the beginning of last season, Edin Dzeko is the only Premier League player to have scored at least four goals with his head, his left foot and his right foot.
Manchester United have made their worst start to a Premier League season, gaining just 13 points from their opening nine games. Last season under David Moyes, they had 14 points.
Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur
Aston Villa have scored just one goal in their last six Premier League matches against Tottenham, including failing to score in the last four meetings in a row.
Emmanuel Adebayor has scored more goals against Aston Villa (7) than versus any other opponent in the Premier League.
Adebayor has netted four in four Premier League starts for Spurs against the Villans.
Tottenham have won eight and lost none of the last 11 Premier League matches against Aston Villa (D3).
Andros Townsend has scored on his last two Premier League visits to Villa Park.
Aston Villa have become the ninth different side to lose five successive Premier League games without scoring a single goal. The PL record is seven (Ipswich Town in 1995).
The last time that Aston Villa went five league games without scoring was March 1992. They have never failed to score in six consecutive league games.
Andreas Weimann has played a hand in 75% of Aston Villa's league goals so far this season, scoring two and assisting another.
Tottenham have not drawn any of their last 37 Premier League games 0-0 - the longest run of its kind among the 20 current PL clubs.
Spurs have scored more goals in the opening 30 minutes of their matches (5) than Aston Villa have managed all season (4).
Crystal Palace v Sunderland
Crystal Palace have won their last four home games in all competitions against Sunderland.
The Eagles' last three Premier League games on a Monday have produced 17 goals in total, including last season's 3-3 draw with Liverpool. Palace failed to win any of those games (D1 L2).
Sunderland haven't won any of their last 20 Premier League matches on a Monday (D8 L12). Their last win on a Monday in the Premier League was against Leicester City in April 2002 (2-1 at home).
Of current Premier League sides Liverpool are on the second longest 'Monday drought', having failed to win any of their last seven (D4 L3).
The Black Cats have won two of their last five league trips to London (L3), including a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge in April.
Since the beginning of last season, nine of Crystal Palace's 15 Premier League wins (60%) have come at Selhurst Park.
Only Robert Green (32) has been forced to make more saves this season than Sunderland's Vito Mannone (30).
However, the Sunderland goalkeeper has made three errors leading to a goal (all coming in his last two games), more than any other player in the Premier League this season.
No side has conceded more goals in the final 15 minutes of PL matches this season than Crystal Palace (5 - level with Everton and Chelsea).
Mile Jedinak didn't score or assist a single goal in any of his first 34 Premier League appearances, but he has scored four and assisted two in his last 13.
Jedinak has conceded more fouls than any other player in the Premier League this season (23).
We have stats ahead of every Premier League game this weekend, including details of Man City's recent derby dominance and Arsenal's fightbacks.
Chelsea could move further ahead at the top of the Premier League this weekend, with Jose Mourinho's side entertaining second-bottom QPR on Saturday while second-placed Southampton visit Hull City.
Third-placed Manchester City have a derby to contend with the following day, while fourth-placed West Ham United also face a tricky game at Stoke.
Arsenal will hope to take advantage of any slip ups when they host rock-bottom Burnley, while sixth-placed Swansea and seventh-placed Liverpool are both away, at Everton and Newcastle respectively.
We take a look at the key Opta statistics ahead of the 10th round of games.
Newcastle United v Liverpool
Newcastle have had five players sent off in their last four Premier League games against Liverpool.
Only Everton (13 v Liverpool) have picked up more red cards against one single opponent than Newcastle against Liverpool (11).
Liverpool have scored more goals against Newcastle in the Premier League (84) than versus any other opponent.
The Reds have scored 598 goals away from home in Premier League history.
No fixture in Premier League history has produced more goals than clashes between Liverpool and Newcastle (129).
Against no side have Liverpool won more often than they have against Newcastle in the Premier League (23 wins - level with their record v Aston Villa).
Daniel Sturridge has scored six goals in eight Premier League games against Newcastle, including four in three for Liverpool. He is likely to miss this game, however, through injury.
Fabio Borini has scored three goals in three Premier League games against the Magpies - he's not scored more than once against any other opponent.
Liverpool have won four and lost just one of their last seven Premier League games against the Magpies (D2).
However, Newcastle United have won two and lost just one of the last four home games against the Reds in the Premier League.
Papiss Cisse has scored a goal every 61 minutes so far this season, the best record in the Premier League of all players to have scored more than once.
Arsenal v Burnley
Arsenal have been behind at some point in each of their four Premier League home games this season.
Burnley were the first lower-league team ever to beat an Arsene Wenger Arsenal team in a cup competition when they won 2-0 in the 2008-09 League Cup.
Arsenal have won their last three home matches in all competitions against the Clarets.
Burnley have conceded 12 goals in their last four games in the Premier League - this after previously keeping three clean sheets in a row.
Arsene Wenger's side are unbeaten in their last 22 home Premier League matches, winning 14 and drawing eight.
However, they have kept just two clean sheets in their last 10 PL games at The Emirates.
Theo Walcott is the only player to score in the two 2009-10 Premier League meetings between these sides to still be at either club.
Just 16.5% of Burnley's attempts on goal this season have been fashioned from set piece situations, a Premier League low.
Burnley are the 12th side to fail to win any of their opening nine Premier League matches of a single season - seven of the previous 11 sides were relegated.
Just nine teams have previously failed to win any of their opening 10 games in a Premier League season, the last being Reading and QPR in 2012-13.
Jason Shackell is the first Premier League player to make over 100 clearances this season (101).
Chelsea v Queens Park Rangers
Chelsea have failed to score in three of the last four Premier League games against west London rivals QPR.
QPR's last visit to Stamford Bridge saw QPR win 1-0 thanks to former Blues player Shaun Wright-Phillips (January 2013).
Cesc Fabregas has been involved in nine goals (one goal, eight assists) in nine league games for Chelsea.
QPR have won just one of their last 18 away trips to rival London clubs in the Premier League (D3 L14).
Harry Redknapp has lost just one of his last six Premier League clashes with Chelsea (W2 D3).
However, he has seen his teams lose all five league clashes with Jose Mourinho's Chelsea.
In their last 12 league matches at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have kept 10 clean sheets and conceded just four goals in total.
The last time a side in the Premier League relegation zone went to the home of the league leaders and won was September 2001 (Southampton beating Sam Allardyce's Bolton 1-0). Since then, the league leaders have won 24 of their 26 home matches against a side in the relegation zone (D2).
Charlie Austin has scored 23 league goals for QPR since the beginning of last season (incl. play-offs), 17 more than any other player (Ravel Morrison - 6).
Steven Caulker is the only QPR player to have started every league game so far this season. By contrast, seven of Chelsea's players have started each and every PL game so far, a joint-league high with Southampton.
Everton v Swansea City
Romelu Lukaku has scored in three of his five Premier League appearances against Swansea City.
Swansea beat Everton 3-0 earlier this season in the League Cup, which was their first win against the Toffees in any competition after 15 defeats and five draws.
Everton have never lost to Swansea City in the league (18 games). This is the most league games between two teams without any defeat ever by one team against another in the top four tiers of English league football.
Ross Barkley scored the winning goal in each of last season's two league games between Everton and Swansea.
Wilfried Bony has now scored 20 Premier League goals for Swansea, the joint most for the Swans in the competition alongside Michu.
The Toffees have won 199 home games in Premier League history.
Swansea City have used just 18 players this season, fewer than any other team in the Premier League.
Roberto Martinez's men are so far the most accurate shooters in the top flight this season, hitting the target with 54% of efforts.
The Toffees have scored a joint league-high four goals from outside the area (alongside West Ham).
Conversely, Swansea are one of four sides yet to concede a goal from outside the box in the Premier League this season.
The Swans have seen four of their efforts cleared off the line, more than any other in the Premier League this season.
Hull City v Southampton
Hull City have drawn five of their nine Premier League games this season - they only drew seven in the whole of 2013-14.
Southampton have won their last four league games against Hull and lost just one of the last 16 in all comps (W10 D5 L1), including a meeting in the Full Members Cup in 1986-87.
Southampton have won six of their opening nine games in a top-flight season for the first time in their history.
Ronald Koeman's side have conceded just five league goals this season, fewer than any other team in England's top four divisions.
Four of those five goals have been conceded on the road, with the Saints managing just one clean sheet in four games away from St Mary's in the PL this term.
Southampton have won every game that they have scored first in this season in the Premier League (5/5).
No-one has dropped more points from leading positions this season than Hull City (8 - level with Swansea City).
Hull (11 points, 10th position) are exactly where they were after nine games of the season in 2013-14, although they have lost only two games this season (W2 D5) compared to four at this stage last season (W3 D2).
The Tigers have scored exactly two goals in each of their last three home league games (W1 D1 L1).
No side have caught their opponents offside on fewer occasions this season than Hull City (6; level with Stoke).
Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion
Leicester City have failed to score in three of their last four Premier League games.
West Brom have won seven and lost just one of their last nine matches in all competitions against Leicester.
Despite this being both West Brom and Leicester's ninth different season as a Premier League club, this will be their first meeting in the competition.
No side has conceded the first goal in more games this season than Leicester (7; level with Newcastle and QPR).
Leonardo Ulloa has attempted 10 of Leicester's 59 shots (excl. blocked) so far this season. However, the striker hasn't managed a single one in his last four league appearances.
The Baggies have won just one of their last seven away trips in the Premier League (D1 L5), with that win coming in September against Tottenham (1-0).
WBA have scored just four goals in their last nine away games in the league, firing blanks in five of these games.
This is the fourth time in their nine Premier League seasons that Leicester have failed to reach 10 points from their opening nine games. In the previous three, they have been relegated.
Saido Berahino is the top-scoring English player in the Premier League this season (seven goals).
Berahino has scored in West Brom's last four Premier League matches. The last WBA player to score in five successive PL games was Peter Odemwingie in May 2011.
Stoke City v West Ham United
Stoke City have won eight of their last 12 Premier League home games (L3 D1).
West Ham have now scored in eight successive Premier League games, their best run in the competition since Nov 2009 (10 games).
Diafra Sakho became only the second player in Premier League history to score in his first six starts in the competition thanks to his goal versus Man City (after Mick Quinn). No-one has ever scored in their first seven.
Stoke have allowed their opponents fewer shots on target than any other side in the Premier League (22).
West Ham are seven points better off compared to their equivalent matches against the same opposition from last season, the best such record in the Premier League.
Just six goals have been scored at the Britannia Stadium so far this season, fewer than any other Premier League ground.
Mark Arnautovic is yet to hit the target with any of his 11 shots in the Premier League this season (including blocked).
If he features, Carlton Cole will play his 200th Premier League game for West Ham. Only two players Steve Potts (204) and Mark Noble (201 currently) have featured more.
Only Paolo Di Canio (47) has scored more Premier League goals for West Ham than Cole (41).
The Hammers squad have had 35 headed shots in the Premier League so far this season, 17 more than any other team (Sunderland, Chelsea and QPR all on 18). They have scored seven headed goals, a league high.
Manchester City v Manchester United
Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero have both scored four goals in five Premier League appearances against Manchester United.
Manchester City have won five and lost just one of the last six Premier League Manchester derbies.
Yaya Toure has scored in three of his last four Premier League appearances against United.
Wayne Rooney has scored four goals in his last five Premier League appearances at the Etihad Stadium, including three in his last two games there.
Rooney is the top scorer in Manchester derbies, both overall and in the Premier League - 11 in all comps, and eight in the Premier League.
Man City have won the last three Manchester derbies in the Premier League. They have not won four in a row in the league since December 1970.
Since he made his Premier League debut in August 2010, no player has assisted as many goals (41) or created as many goalscoring chances (389) as David Silva.
Despite being only nine games in to the Premier League season, David De Gea is the only United player to have appeared in every game so far.
Since the beginning of last season, Edin Dzeko is the only Premier League player to have scored at least four goals with his head, his left foot and his right foot.
Manchester United have made their worst start to a Premier League season, gaining just 13 points from their opening nine games. Last season under David Moyes, they had 14 points.
Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur
Aston Villa have scored just one goal in their last six Premier League matches against Tottenham, including failing to score in the last four meetings in a row.
Emmanuel Adebayor has scored more goals against Aston Villa (7) than versus any other opponent in the Premier League.
Adebayor has netted four in four Premier League starts for Spurs against the Villans.
Tottenham have won eight and lost none of the last 11 Premier League matches against Aston Villa (D3).
Andros Townsend has scored on his last two Premier League visits to Villa Park.
Aston Villa have become the ninth different side to lose five successive Premier League games without scoring a single goal. The PL record is seven (Ipswich Town in 1995).
The last time that Aston Villa went five league games without scoring was March 1992. They have never failed to score in six consecutive league games.
Andreas Weimann has played a hand in 75% of Aston Villa's league goals so far this season, scoring two and assisting another.
Tottenham have not drawn any of their last 37 Premier League games 0-0 - the longest run of its kind among the 20 current PL clubs.
Spurs have scored more goals in the opening 30 minutes of their matches (5) than Aston Villa have managed all season (4).
Crystal Palace v Sunderland
Crystal Palace have won their last four home games in all competitions against Sunderland.
The Eagles' last three Premier League games on a Monday have produced 17 goals in total, including last season's 3-3 draw with Liverpool. Palace failed to win any of those games (D1 L2).
Sunderland haven't won any of their last 20 Premier League matches on a Monday (D8 L12). Their last win on a Monday in the Premier League was against Leicester City in April 2002 (2-1 at home).
Of current Premier League sides Liverpool are on the second longest 'Monday drought', having failed to win any of their last seven (D4 L3).
The Black Cats have won two of their last five league trips to London (L3), including a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge in April.
Since the beginning of last season, nine of Crystal Palace's 15 Premier League wins (60%) have come at Selhurst Park.
Only Robert Green (32) has been forced to make more saves this season than Sunderland's Vito Mannone (30).
However, the Sunderland goalkeeper has made three errors leading to a goal (all coming in his last two games), more than any other player in the Premier League this season.
No side has conceded more goals in the final 15 minutes of PL matches this season than Crystal Palace (5 - level with Everton and Chelsea).
Mile Jedinak didn't score or assist a single goal in any of his first 34 Premier League appearances, but he has scored four and assisted two in his last 13.
Jedinak has conceded more fouls than any other player in the Premier League this season (23).
Team news ahead of Saturday lunchtime's Premier League clash between Newcastle and Liverpool at St James' Park (kick-off: 12:45pm).
Cheick Tiote will miss Newcastle's clash with Liverpool after failing to shake off a calf problem.
The Ivory Coast midfielder has not figured for the Magpies since his return from international duty earlier this month, and will sit out once again.
Striker Papiss Cisse is also a doubt after suffering a reaction to the screws used to repair his fractured kneecap, while central defender Mike Williamson will not be risked unless he has fully recovered from a muscle strain.
Liverpool have no fresh injury concerns.
Daniel Sturridge (calf), Mamadou Sakho (thigh) and Jon Flanagan (knee) remain unavailable for selection, along with ex-Magpie Jose Enrique, who Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed is sidelined by a knee issue.
In Sturridge's absence, Rodgers will once again make a call on the best option in attack from Fabio Borini, Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli, who is the only one of the trio to have scored this season and broke an eight-match goal drought earlier this week.
Team news ahead of Saturday lunchtime's Premier League clash between Newcastle and Liverpool at St James' Park (kick-off: 12:45pm).
Cheick Tiote will miss Newcastle's clash with Liverpool after failing to shake off a calf problem.
The Ivory Coast midfielder has not figured for the Magpies since his return from international duty earlier this month, and will sit out once again.
Striker Papiss Cisse is also a doubt after suffering a reaction to the screws used to repair his fractured kneecap, while central defender Mike Williamson will not be risked unless he has fully recovered from a muscle strain.
Liverpool have no fresh injury concerns.
Daniel Sturridge (calf), Mamadou Sakho (thigh) and Jon Flanagan (knee) remain unavailable for selection, along with ex-Magpie Jose Enrique, who Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed is sidelined by a knee issue.
In Sturridge's absence, Rodgers will once again make a call on the best option in attack from Fabio Borini, Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli, who is the only one of the trio to have scored this season and broke an eight-match goal drought earlier this week.
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Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers insists he has “no concern” about Mario Balotelli and that the controversial Reds striker does not need any kind of protection from provocation.
Rodgers will have been delighted to see Balotelli get on the scoresheet in Tuesday’s 2-1 Capital One Cup win over Swansea, the Italy international making the desired impact as a late substitute by prodding home an 86th-minute equaliser to break his eight-match goal drought.
But Balotelli was also involved in two other notable incidents, the first coming pre-match when he was sent away from a warm-up exercise by Liverpool coach Mike Marsh – which assistant boss Colin Pascoe, amid reports it had been due to the player messing around, stressed was only because he had sustained a minor knee problem.
Then, after his goal, Balotelli was caught up in an off-the-ball confrontation with Swansea’s Jonjo Shelvey, and further words were exchanged between the pair after the final whistle as they headed off the pitch.
Asked on Thursday for his view of what had happened with Balotelli that evening, Rodgers was in no mood for elaboration. The manager said: “I don’t know, but there is no problem, so we move on.”
Then asked about opposition players possibly targeting the 24-year-old, Rodgers added: “I don’t have to protect Mario, he is fine. There is no concern.”
Rodgers was speaking at his press conference to preview Saturday’s Premier League trip to Newcastle, and while Balotelli is set to be available, Liverpool will once again be without fellow frontman Daniel Sturridge.
Sturridge was ruled out for two to four weeks earlier this month with a calf problem having only just recovered from a thigh injury sustained on England duty, and Rodgers has admitted the 25-year-old needs to get a consistent run of games if he is to become one of Europe’s top strikers.
Meanwhile, Sturridge himself has suggested in an interview with talkSPORT that his injury problems may be hereditary – something Rodgers felt unable to comment on when it was raised on Thursday.
“I can only concentrate on his injury now and what my medical team here, who are fantastic, are telling me,” Rodgers said. “He is just in the middle of recovering and we will see the length of time it takes.
“I’m not an expert on genetics or medicine, so I can’t comment. All we know is that he had a calf strain on the back of his last injury, and he is working to recover from that.”
Liverpool – who, along with Sturridge, are of course also minus the services of last season’s top-scorer Luis Suarez following his summer sale to Barcelona – have had an inconsistent campaign so far, and Tuesday was the first time they had netted in three games.
Rodgers admits the responsibility lies with him to find solutions to the Reds’ problems. And in terms of goals, he remains confident that another England striker on Liverpool’s books, Rickie Lambert, will soon start scoring after Tuesday’s match extended his wait for a first goal for the Merseysiders to 10 appearances.
“It is up to myself to find the solution,” Rodgers said. “The players who are available are working very hard, and we are still learning about each other.
“I think this is something that sometimes is missed – you get new players in and with not as much preparation time, you are learning about them in the games.
“But I can see each day relationships growing between the players and the connection in the team.
“Whenever you have players out it makes it a bit more difficult, but you need to find the solutions in different ways and that is what we have been trying to do.
“Gradually as each day goes by I sense we are getting better. “With Daniel out, of course it is a miss, but it is also an opportunity, as we saw the other night.
“Fabio Borini was excellent, a real threat, and put in a wonderful cross for the (Balotelli) goal. “And Rickie Lambert, who hasn’t had many opportunities – his goals will come.
“He is working tirelessly every day, he had some nice touches and his goals will come.”
Rodgers also confirmed full-back Jose Enrique is sidelined by a knee issue.
PA
LIVERPOOL v NEWCASTLE: Team news and match preview
.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers insists he has “no concern” about Mario Balotelli and that the controversial Reds striker does not need any kind of protection from provocation.
Rodgers will have been delighted to see Balotelli get on the scoresheet in Tuesday’s 2-1 Capital One Cup win over Swansea, the Italy international making the desired impact as a late substitute by prodding home an 86th-minute equaliser to break his eight-match goal drought.
But Balotelli was also involved in two other notable incidents, the first coming pre-match when he was sent away from a warm-up exercise by Liverpool coach Mike Marsh – which assistant boss Colin Pascoe, amid reports it had been due to the player messing around, stressed was only because he had sustained a minor knee problem.
Then, after his goal, Balotelli was caught up in an off-the-ball confrontation with Swansea’s Jonjo Shelvey, and further words were exchanged between the pair after the final whistle as they headed off the pitch.
Asked on Thursday for his view of what had happened with Balotelli that evening, Rodgers was in no mood for elaboration. The manager said: “I don’t know, but there is no problem, so we move on.”
Then asked about opposition players possibly targeting the 24-year-old, Rodgers added: “I don’t have to protect Mario, he is fine. There is no concern.”
Rodgers was speaking at his press conference to preview Saturday’s Premier League trip to Newcastle, and while Balotelli is set to be available, Liverpool will once again be without fellow frontman Daniel Sturridge.
Sturridge was ruled out for two to four weeks earlier this month with a calf problem having only just recovered from a thigh injury sustained on England duty, and Rodgers has admitted the 25-year-old needs to get a consistent run of games if he is to become one of Europe’s top strikers.
Meanwhile, Sturridge himself has suggested in an interview with talkSPORT that his injury problems may be hereditary – something Rodgers felt unable to comment on when it was raised on Thursday.
“I can only concentrate on his injury now and what my medical team here, who are fantastic, are telling me,” Rodgers said. “He is just in the middle of recovering and we will see the length of time it takes.
“I’m not an expert on genetics or medicine, so I can’t comment. All we know is that he had a calf strain on the back of his last injury, and he is working to recover from that.”
Liverpool – who, along with Sturridge, are of course also minus the services of last season’s top-scorer Luis Suarez following his summer sale to Barcelona – have had an inconsistent campaign so far, and Tuesday was the first time they had netted in three games.
Rodgers admits the responsibility lies with him to find solutions to the Reds’ problems. And in terms of goals, he remains confident that another England striker on Liverpool’s books, Rickie Lambert, will soon start scoring after Tuesday’s match extended his wait for a first goal for the Merseysiders to 10 appearances.
“It is up to myself to find the solution,” Rodgers said. “The players who are available are working very hard, and we are still learning about each other.
“I think this is something that sometimes is missed – you get new players in and with not as much preparation time, you are learning about them in the games.
“But I can see each day relationships growing between the players and the connection in the team.
“Whenever you have players out it makes it a bit more difficult, but you need to find the solutions in different ways and that is what we have been trying to do.
“Gradually as each day goes by I sense we are getting better. “With Daniel out, of course it is a miss, but it is also an opportunity, as we saw the other night.
“Fabio Borini was excellent, a real threat, and put in a wonderful cross for the (Balotelli) goal. “And Rickie Lambert, who hasn’t had many opportunities – his goals will come.
“He is working tirelessly every day, he had some nice touches and his goals will come.”
Rodgers also confirmed full-back Jose Enrique is sidelined by a knee issue.
PA
LIVERPOOL v NEWCASTLE: Team news and match preview
.
Liverpool travel to Newcastle on Saturday looking to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to five games. Ben Twelves looks ahead to the clash.
Newcastle United v Liverpool
Premier League; Saturday, 1st November 2014; 12:45pm kick-off
Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool head to the North East to take on a rejuvenated Newcastle in their 10th game of the Premier League season on Saturday, with both teams having enjoyed success in the League Cup this week.
The Reds will arrive at St James’ Park off the back of a morale boosting 2-1 comeback against Swansea in midweek, but they face a far stiffer challenge now, with the Magpies resurgent having recorded fantastic back-to-back away wins against Tottenham in the Premier League and Manchester City in the League Cup.
Last 5
In the last five visits to Tyneside, the Reds have lost twice, drawn once and won twice – the last of which was two seasons ago when Rodgers’ side – without a banned Luis Suarez – thrashed the Geordies 6-0, thanks to a brace each from Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge and a goal apiece from Fabio Borini and Daniel Agger.
Last season, the two teams battled out a 2-2 draw on a day Rodgers chose to operate with a 3-5-2 formation on the spacious St James’ Park pitch.
The Reds fell behind to Yohan Cabaye’s long range strike before Steven Gerrard’s penalty – which resulted in the home side being reduced to 10 men – pulled Liverpool back on level terms. Paul Dummett put Newcastle back in front despite being a man down, only for Daniel Sturridge to once again level the match for Liverpool as he headed in Luis Suarez’s cross at the near post.
Team News
Jose Enrique has been added to the injury list due to suffering from a knee problem, and the Spaniard is therefore unavailable for the return to his former club. Mamadou Sakho, Jon Flanagan, Suso and Daniel Sturridge all remain out, with the England striker frustratingly set to miss his twelfth game of the season to date.
Ahead of a huge clash in Madrid on Tuesday night, Rodgers is likely to freshen up his side from the team that played in midweek and he could make a number of changes, with Simon Mignolet, Martin Skrtel, Alberto Moreno, Raheem Sterling and Steven Gerrard all expected to return to the starting XI.
Joe Allen and Emre Can were also rested in midweek, and the midfield duo will be hopeful of recalls to the team, as will Adam Lallana and Mario Balotelli who did feature in the cup match, but only as second half substitutes.
Fabio Borini – who impressed in the cup tie and was a large factor behind the turnaround – will also be hoping his tenacious performance is rewarded with more match-day involvement whether from the bench or in the starting team, starting on Saturday.
Opposition
After a woeful start to the season saw Newcastle in the relegation zone, the Magpies, typically, have found some form which looks to have turned their season around, having gone unbeaten in the month of October.
That form saw Alan Pardew’s side win three out of four fixtures, picking up two league wins and progressing to the quarter final stage of the Capital One Cup – knocking out the current holders, and a very strong Man City team on their own turf on Wednesday night.
Pardew made wholesale changes to his team for the cup clash, and the Newcastle manager could recall a number of the players he chose to rest back to the starting team such as, Tim Krul, Vernon Anita, Moussa Sissoko, Yoann Gouffran, Remy Cabellia and Ayoze Perez.
However, one player the Newcastle boss may not be able to call upon, is Pappis Cisse, who, Pardew revealed in his pre-match press conference, is rated “touch-and-go” and the Senegalese international is set to be monitored closely ahead of the match.
Midfielder Cheick Tiote has been ruled out for the home side.
The Geordies will be looking to turn three successive wins in all competitions into four on Saturday, but they’ll have to record their first win over Liverpool since the 2011/12 season, when they overcame Kenny Daglish’s side 2-0 in a game that saw Jose Enrique end up in goal for the Reds after Pepe Reina was sent off with ten minutes remaining.
Saturday’s fixture is the early kick-off, meaning the match will be shown live on BT Sport 1 with kick-off from St James’ Park coming at 12:45pm.
THEMED XI: Players to have played for both Liverpool and Newcastle
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Liverpool travel to Newcastle on Saturday looking to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to five games. Ben Twelves looks ahead to the clash.
Newcastle United v Liverpool
Premier League; Saturday, 1st November 2014; 12:45pm kick-off
Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool head to the North East to take on a rejuvenated Newcastle in their 10th game of the Premier League season on Saturday, with both teams having enjoyed success in the League Cup this week.
The Reds will arrive at St James’ Park off the back of a morale boosting 2-1 comeback against Swansea in midweek, but they face a far stiffer challenge now, with the Magpies resurgent having recorded fantastic back-to-back away wins against Tottenham in the Premier League and Manchester City in the League Cup.
Last 5
In the last five visits to Tyneside, the Reds have lost twice, drawn once and won twice – the last of which was two seasons ago when Rodgers’ side – without a banned Luis Suarez – thrashed the Geordies 6-0, thanks to a brace each from Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge and a goal apiece from Fabio Borini and Daniel Agger.
Last season, the two teams battled out a 2-2 draw on a day Rodgers chose to operate with a 3-5-2 formation on the spacious St James’ Park pitch.
The Reds fell behind to Yohan Cabaye’s long range strike before Steven Gerrard’s penalty – which resulted in the home side being reduced to 10 men – pulled Liverpool back on level terms. Paul Dummett put Newcastle back in front despite being a man down, only for Daniel Sturridge to once again level the match for Liverpool as he headed in Luis Suarez’s cross at the near post.
Team News
Jose Enrique has been added to the injury list due to suffering from a knee problem, and the Spaniard is therefore unavailable for the return to his former club. Mamadou Sakho, Jon Flanagan, Suso and Daniel Sturridge all remain out, with the England striker frustratingly set to miss his twelfth game of the season to date.
Ahead of a huge clash in Madrid on Tuesday night, Rodgers is likely to freshen up his side from the team that played in midweek and he could make a number of changes, with Simon Mignolet, Martin Skrtel, Alberto Moreno, Raheem Sterling and Steven Gerrard all expected to return to the starting XI.
Joe Allen and Emre Can were also rested in midweek, and the midfield duo will be hopeful of recalls to the team, as will Adam Lallana and Mario Balotelli who did feature in the cup match, but only as second half substitutes.
Fabio Borini – who impressed in the cup tie and was a large factor behind the turnaround – will also be hoping his tenacious performance is rewarded with more match-day involvement whether from the bench or in the starting team, starting on Saturday.
Opposition
After a woeful start to the season saw Newcastle in the relegation zone, the Magpies, typically, have found some form which looks to have turned their season around, having gone unbeaten in the month of October.
That form saw Alan Pardew’s side win three out of four fixtures, picking up two league wins and progressing to the quarter final stage of the Capital One Cup – knocking out the current holders, and a very strong Man City team on their own turf on Wednesday night.
Pardew made wholesale changes to his team for the cup clash, and the Newcastle manager could recall a number of the players he chose to rest back to the starting team such as, Tim Krul, Vernon Anita, Moussa Sissoko, Yoann Gouffran, Remy Cabellia and Ayoze Perez.
However, one player the Newcastle boss may not be able to call upon, is Pappis Cisse, who, Pardew revealed in his pre-match press conference, is rated “touch-and-go” and the Senegalese international is set to be monitored closely ahead of the match.
Midfielder Cheick Tiote has been ruled out for the home side.
The Geordies will be looking to turn three successive wins in all competitions into four on Saturday, but they’ll have to record their first win over Liverpool since the 2011/12 season, when they overcame Kenny Daglish’s side 2-0 in a game that saw Jose Enrique end up in goal for the Reds after Pepe Reina was sent off with ten minutes remaining.
Saturday’s fixture is the early kick-off, meaning the match will be shown live on BT Sport 1 with kick-off from St James’ Park coming at 12:45pm.
THEMED XI: Players to have played for both Liverpool and Newcastle
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