Liverpool v Manchester United

13:30, Sunday 16th December 2007

One famous Christmas Day during the First World War the allies and the Germans stopped fighting for long enough to enjoy a little game of football amongst the craters of no man's land, before going back to killing each other in the afternoon. There'll be no such festive truce between these two teams, whose animosity is so intense they'd be more likely to halt a football match on Christmas Day in order to stage a war. And with Liverpool's owners in town to take a look at Rafa Benitez's end-of-year report card, this contest could produce a significant casualty list as well.

Top

Liverpool to save Rafa's bacon

• Liverpool haven't lost at home in all competitions since their 1-0 defeat to United in March, when John O'Shea scored an injury time winner.
• In Liverpool's last six home games against fellow 'Big Four' sides, they've lost just once, drawn twice and won three times.
• Rafa Benitez's men have scored 16 goals in their 7 home league games to date this season, at an average of 2.28 per game. United have struggled for goals on their travels, with just 9 scored in 7 games at an average of 1.28 per game.
• In their last four matches at Anfield, Liverpool have scored 18 goals (at an average of 4.5 per game) and conceded just one.
• Liverpool have not followed up an away defeat with a home defeat since September/October 2003, when they lost away at Charlton and home to Arsenal.

Top

United to create a vacancy at Liverpool

• Liverpool haven't beaten United in a league game at Anfield since a 3-1 victory six years ago in November 2001, in which Michael Owen scored a brace.
• United have never lost their 17th Premiership fixture. The last time they lost their 17th league game of the season was a 1-0 defeat by Tottenham in the 1989-1990 season.
• In games between the 'Big Four' since their emergence in 2003-2004, Liverpool have the worst record. They've lost 65% of the games they've played, and average just 4.2 points per season from the six games.
• Alex Ferguson's men have an excellent record at Anfield in the Premiership. In 15 fixtures they have won eight, drawn three and lost just four. Liverpool's points average for the fixture is a pathetic 1.
• Liverpool have not even scored against United in a league game at Anfield since Harry Kewell hit the target in a 2-1 defeat in November 2003.
• United haven't suffered any Champions League hangovers so far this season. They've won all of the five league games that have followed mid-week European fixtures, scoring 14 and conceding just one. However, all five games were at home.

The draw...

• The Reds already have more draws this season (6) than at the same stage of any of the five previous seasons.

...or not

• In the last 20 games between these sides in all competitions, there have been just three draws.

Arsenal v Chelsea

16:00, Sunday 16th December 2007

Avram Grant has been in charge of Chelsea since September 21 and has successfully managed to keep his personality one of football's most closely guarded secrets. He looks like a great plodding lump, and until he shows otherwise, will continue to be perceived as such, which must be an enormous relief to Arsene Wenger, who consistently lost to Jose Mourinho at mind games. By kick off, however, Arsenal may have lost their top spot, so it may be up to the great Frenchman to stop running and start scrapping, an ideal opportunity for the real Mr Grant to make himself known.

Top

Arsenal to black Mr Grant's eye

• In 30 Premiership meetings with Arsenal, Chelsea have won just four times. Before their 2-0 victory at Highbury in 2005-2006, the Blues hadn't beaten the Gunners in a league game since September 1995.
• Arsenal have the best record in the league against teams in the top half of the table, with four wins and three draws from seven games - an average of 2.14 points per game.
• In 15 Premiership games at Arsenal, Chelsea have won just one, drawn five and lost nine.
• Tomas Rosicky's last-minute consolation goal at Middlesbrough on Sunday maintained Arsenal's record as the only team in the whole of the Football League to have scored in every league game they've played this season.
• Since moving into their new stadium at the beginning of last season, the Gunners have lost there just once (to West Ham in April), also the last time they lost consecutive away and home games.
• Arsenal average 2.5 goals per game at home this season, which is a better average than any other top-flight team.

Top

Chelsea to ruin Mr Wenger's weekend

• Arsenal haven't beaten Chelsea at home in the league since October 2003.
• Over the past five seasons (including this one), Chelsea have the best record against their fellow 'Big Four' sides. They've won 11 of 26 games, averaging 1.58 points per game. In a 'Big Four' table composed of results since the 2003-2004 season, they would be ahead of Manchester United on goal difference.
• Chelsea have lost twice already this season, but not since 2000-2001 have they lost more than two games after 17 matches.

Top

Disappointment all round?

• Over a third of the Premiership games between these sides have ended in a draw.
• The last time these sides met at this exact stage of the season - in December 2004 - the game ended 2-2.
• A 0-0 draw between the teams at Arsenal is long overdue - there has never been one in the Premiership (there have been five score draws). There have only been three 0-0 draws in their last 50 meetings.

Top

 

Betfair.com