Data drop: All the key stats ahead of Premier League Gameweek 22

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By Toby Rathborne

The Premier League is set for an exciting round of midweek fixtures — so we have delved into the Twenty3 Toolbox to search for all the key facts ahead of the upcoming matches.

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal (Tuesday, 7:30pm)

  • Arsenal rank first for dangerous ball recoveries in the opponent’s half (119).
  • Nottingham Forest have accumulated more expected goals in counter-attacks than any other Premier League side (5.45xG).
  • No side have had more corners than the Gunners this season (164).
  • Both teams are underperforming their xG: -2.86 for Arsenal and -0.77 for Forest.
  • Mikel Arteta’s men are the best-disciplined side in the league, with fewer yellow cards than any other team (31).
  • Bukayo Saka is Forest’s biggest threat: he leads the league in dribbles completed (81), touches in the opposition box (134) and expected assists (7.49xA).

Luton Town vs Brighton (Tuesday, 7:45pm)

  • Luton have had more headed shots than any other team in the Premier League (48), and Brighton follow closely behind in second (47).
  • No side has completed more forward passes than Roberto De Zerbi’s men (3,061).
  • Conversely, the Hatters have registered the fewest number of successful passes in the division (4,820).
  • Brighton are second only to Chelsea for successful link-up plays (309).

Fulham vs Everton (Tuesday, 7:45pm)

  • Fulham have been much more clinical than Everton this season, with 28 goals to the Toffees’ 24, despite having lower quality chances (25.64xG vs 31.2xG).
  • Sean Dyche’s men are one of the busiest defensive sides in the league, ranking first for successful defensive actions (2,352) and ball recoveries (1,852).
  • Only Sheffield United have attempted fewer headed shots than Fulham this season (24).
  • The Toffees utilise a direct style of play, completing a division-high 570 long passes — although Fulham are not far behind as the third-most successful side (549).

Crystal Palace vs Sheffield United (Tuesday, 8:00pm)

  • Crystal Palace have scored 22 goals this season — only Burnley (21) and Sheffield United (18) have managed fewer.
  • The Blades rank dead last for shots attempted (177), final third passes completed (445) and successful deliveries (63).
  • Joachim Andersen has more interceptions (143) and through ball attempts (24) than any other Premier League centre-back.
  • Wes Foderingham has been the busiest goalkeeper this season with 95 saves from 146 shots faced.

Aston Villa vs Newcastle (Tuesday, 8:15pm)

  • No team has completed more crosses than Aston Villa (136).
  • Newcastle lead the Premier League in non-penalty expected goals (38.8xG).
  • Only Tottenham have completed more key passes than Unai Emery’s side (109).
  • Importantly, Aston Villa rank second for xG in counter-attacks (5.1xG) while Newcastle are bottom for xG in counter-attacks conceded (6.14xG).
  • The Magpies have attempted 1,040 pressing duels (second-most) to Villa’s 579 (second-least).

Manchester City vs Burnley (Wednesday, 7:30pm)

  • Manchester City have scored more than double the goals (48) that Burnley have managed (21) this season, despite playing a game fewer.
  • Unsurprisingly, the Citizens also lead the league in passes completed (11,777), progressive runs (540) and non-penalty shots on target (131).
  • The Clarets do better their opponents in aerial duels won (364).
  • Vincent Kompany’s side are also among the sides that have won more corners (111) — an area they will need to capitalise upon.

Tottenham vs Brentford (Wednesday, 7:30pm)

  • Tottenham are back in form under Ange Postecoglou, with no side recording more assists this season (31) or attacking duels won (772).
  • Brentford — now with Ivan Toney back spearheading the attack — rank second for successful long balls (569) and crosses completed (127).
  • The two sides rank well in xG conceded, with the Bees’ 28.09xGA marginally better than Spurs’ 28.87xGA.
  • Six of Richarlison’s seven goals have come in the last six Premier League matches. An aerial threat, the Brazilian ranks eighth for headed shots (10).

Liverpool vs Chelsea (Wednesday, 8:15pm)

  • Liverpool are productive in attack, ranking first for shot attempts (373) and shots assisted (233).
  • Chelsea aim to attack space in behind defences, registering a division-leading 70 completed through-balls in the 2023-24 Premier League campaign.
  • However, the Reds have the best defensive record, recording eight clean sheets and only conceding 16 non-penalty goals.
  • No player has scored more penalties than Cole Palmer this season (five).

West Ham vs Bournemouth (Thursday, 7:30pm)

  • West Ham have been more productive in attack than Bournemouth this season, scoring 35 goals to the Cherries’ 28.
  • The Hammers have been vulnerable defensively, with their goalkeepers forced into action 87 times — the second-most in the league.
  • Andoni Iraola’s side rank second in defensive duels won (998) and have conceded 98 non-penalty shots on target in comparison to the hosts’ 112.
  • The Cherries’ talisman Dominic Solanke has scored 12 goals this season — joint third in the Premier League with Son Heung-Min.

Wolves vs Manchester United (Thursday, 8:15pm)

  • Manchester United have struggled to put away their chances this season, scoring just 24 goals from 30.36xG.
  • Gary O’Neil’s side have been comparatively far more effective, winning more attacking duels (656 to 537) and completing more dribbles (336 to 289).
  • Wolves are busy defensively but come out on top in their duels more often than not, with 2,210 of their 3,156 defensive actions successful.
  • Matheus Cunha has 11 goal contributions for Wolves this term and ranks fifth in the division for non-penalty shots on target (24).

All graphics in this article were produced with the Twenty3 Toolbox. For more information, please get in touch below.

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