Newz Forum: SOCCER: Premiership weekend preview 17/12/04

Christmas may be coming but there is little time for shopping this weekend with some fabulous festive fare taking place. Birmingham City and West Brom kick things off at midday before five matches get underway at three o'clock, including leaders Chelsea's clash with Norwich City.



Birmingham v West Brom
Three of the last four league games between these two sides have been won by a solitary goal. No Birmingham midfielder has scored at home this term and no West Brom midfielder has netted on their travels.

Blackburn v Everton
Rovers have used 26 players (the joint-most) while Everton have used the fewest (18). Only two of the 20 Premiership meetings between these two sides have ended in draws.

Bolton v Man City
Bolton have lost 15 points from winning positions this term while City have lost every game in which they have trailed. City are the only team not to have scored a headed goal this season.

Chelsea v Norwich
The away side has failed to score in the last four encounters between Chelsea and City. Norwich are the only team not to have score in the first half of their away league games this season.

Middlesbrough v Aston Villa
Boro have prevented every opposition midfielder scoring at home this season. Gareth Barry has scored in each of his last two visits to The Riverside.

Tottenham v Southampton
Spurs have not scored in the opening half hour of any Premiership game this campaign. Saints have won their last four games against Tottenham in all competitions.

Man United v Crystal Palace
United have won the most corners (138) and conceded the fewest (49). The last Palace player to score against United was current boss Iain Dowie.

Sunday:

Liverpool v Newcastle
Former Red Michael Owen scored 13 goals in nine games against The Magpies, so Newcastle will be glad he has departed. United have taken just two points from their last ten visits to Anfield.

Portsmouth v Arsenal
Pompey have not had a draw at home since the opening day of the season. Thierry Henry needs one goal to equal Ian Wright's tally of 128 league goals for The Gunners.

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