Saturday’s mid-afternoon skirmishes finds three teams (Sunderland, Chelsea and West Ham United) engaging in the first of their two Gameweek encounters. Given West Ham’s current form and the popularity of their players heading into today’s deadline, the Hammers’ home encounter with Swansea City will be under the closest scrutiny.
West Ham’s attack has flourished across their last quartet of fixtures, ranking second for goals (11), joint-fourth for shots inside the box (41), joint-fourth for big chances (nine) and fourth for shots on target (22). On the flip side, the Swans will be heartened that no team allowed more big chances than the Irons (11) during that period. Worryingly for the Welsh outfit, they chart fifth for goals conceded (31) and fourth for shots inside the box conceded (171) in road ties.
Sunderland scrap for survival as they invite Chelsea to the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats have struggled on their own turf all season, chalking up the joint-second-fewest goals (17), fewest big chances (12) and joint-fewest shots on target (57) in home matches. As for the Blues, their defence has been fairly resolute in away fixtures, conceding the second-fewest shots inside the box (108), and joint-third-fewest big chances(20).
Newcastle United will strive to extend their four-match unbeaten streak when they collide with relegated Aston Villa. The Magpies were clinical in the final third over their previous four match-ups, placing second for shot-conversion rate (21.2%). They were also much improved on the defensive front, conceding the joint-second-fewest goals (three), joint-third-fewest shots inside the box (24) and second-fewest big chances (two).
Bournemouth and West Bromwich Albion cross swords at the Vitality Stadium. The former tasted defeat in five of their last six outings, while the latter are winless in seven matches. Rounding off the quintet of three o’clock kick-offs, Crystal Palace play host to Stoke City: the Eagles lay claim to one win in 19 and are pitted against a Potters outfit that shipped the most goals (13) and the joint-most big chances (11) in their last four fixtures.
