634x258 Miscellaneous
10 June 2015 6 comments
The Sarjeant The Sarjeant
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In this article I analyse clean sheets over the last three seasons kept by the Premier League’s top-four clubs against other top-four clubs and promoted teams. The findings are quite interesting and should be kept in mind throughout the season.

Clean Sheets

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Conclusions

Chelsea – The London side have kept more clean sheets against other top four clubs than promoted teams in each of the last three seasons. Also, Chelsea have done a better job against these two groups of teams under Jose Mourinho. It would seem, though, that benching a Chelsea defender in an on-paper tough fixture against a title rival would be foolish as they clearly tighten up at the back against other top sides.

Manchester City – under Manuel Pellegrini, Manchester City have kept only one clean sheet in 12 games against other top teams. However, they have been consistent against new teams in the league, with a fifth of their clean sheets being kept against promoted clubs over the past three seasons.

Arsenal – they’ve been a bit hit and miss over the three years – one season registering no clean sheets against either promoted sides or title rivals. 2013/14 showed though that they are more than capable of dominating promoted clubs, with six clean sheets against new boys to the Premier League that year. Just two in 2014/15, though, is a worry.

Manchester United – they’ve had a different manager for each of the seasons under analysis and have reached the top four twice. In these two seasons, they registered no clean sheets against the top sides, but shut out the promoted sides five times in 12 games. If Manchester United are to mount a title challenge in 2015/16 their defence needs to markedly improve, particularly against other top-four sides.

6 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Chelsea defender looking a must for the start of the season, whether against top or bottom sides.

  2. AK ⭐
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Chelsea 7 clean sheets out of 12 against top 4 sides under Mourinho.

    Also, if I recall correctly. Number of goals conceded under Mourinho against top 4 clubs this season is 3. Last season it was 2. A total of 5 goals conceded against top 4 clubs under Mourinho in 12 games.

  3. Christina.
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    And still Man United won the 2012/13 PL title....

    1. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      It was their goal difference of +43 that won it for them, not their defence.

      RVP played every match and finished with 262 FPL points.

  4. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Under 21 Fantasy won't work on my phone ... 🙁

  5. Eze on the Eye
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Just read this. Really helpful. Thanks. Ivanhoe's straight in to my team and may consider doubling up on Chelsea defence when the funds are there.