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Weekend In Numbers: West Ham on course to make history and Manchester City set to terrorise Chelsea

Tottenham look destined to fall short in the race for the Premier League as Leicester racked up a...



Weekend In Numbers: West Ham o...
Soccer

Weekend In Numbers: West Ham on course to make history and Manchester City set to terrorise Chelsea

Tottenham look destined to fall short in the race for the Premier League as Leicester racked up another victory, reducing to Claudio Ranieri to tears.

Manchester City took a big step toward securing top four as both United and West Ham faltered and Crystal Palace eased their relegation woes with a massive victory over Norwich, their first in 14 league games.

Ahead of anther busy weekend in the Premier League, we've been busy crunching the numbers.

1) West Ham on course for history

Ahead of his side taking on the league leaders on Sunday, Slaven Bilic insists had it not been for the feats of Leicester City, his West Ham side would be receiving more plaudits for a remarkable season. 

There is a degree of truth in this, the London side are still in the race to pip Manchester City to a Champions League spot. Another reason why this season has been remarkable is because for the first time in the Premier Legaue era, West Ham looks set to finish with a positive goal difference.

However, 11 of Leicester's 14 clean sheets have come in their last 15 league matches.

West Ham will need to remain tight defensively if they are to remain on course with just a handful of games remaining.

Andy Carroll's form of late may help West Ham make history in the Premier League. Image: Tim Ireland / AP/Press Association Images

 

2) Manchester City look to terrorise Chelsea

Manuel Pelligrini may be on his way out of Manchester City, but his last season will be a tough one to follow. 

A League Cup in one hand and the other with a firm grasp on a top four spot, the Chilean has also guided Manchester City to the semi-final of the Champions League for the first time in the club's history.

With that momentum, they will look to terrorise Chelsea this Saturday evening, whose unbeaten streak finally came to an end last weekend.

Chelsea don't have a great record against a defence that has often been found wanting, as they have scored only five goals in their last seven Premier League games against City

In fact the Londoners have gone nine games at home without keeping a clean sheet in the league - their longest ever such run in the Premier League era.

Kevin De Bruyne's performance agaisnt PSG was inspiring, but it's Sergio Aguero who Chelsea will have to look out for; he's scored 10 goals in his last 11.

Kevin De Bruyne celebrates scoring City's only goal of the game against PSG. Image: Martin Rickett / PA Wire/Press Association Images

 

3) Manchester United find comfort in Aston Villa

Louis van Gaal has refused to be drawn into specualtion over his future at the club and insists he has begun planning for next season.

What he needs now is a gimme, an open goal. A guaranteed victory. 

Enter Aston Villa.

Manchester United's only defeat in the last 40 Premier League meetings against Aston Villa came at Old Trafford in December 2009, when Gabriel Agbonlahor (who is currently undergoing a personal fitness plan) scored the only goal. The remaining fixtures have included 29 victories and 10 draws for Louis van Gaal's side.

Considering the toxic form Villa have endured, they've won none of their last 12 league games, it's likely van Gaal will pick up his fifth home victory on the bounce.

Wayne Rooney has only scored more goals against Newcastle (14) than Aston Villa (13). Image: Martin Rickett / PA Wire/Press Association Images

This weekend's match could also be Aston Villa's curtain call, as they need to claim three points against United and hope Norwich lose to even mathematically have a chance at staying in the top flight.

However, with Norwich playing in the early kick off, they could already be out by the time they take to the pitch at Old Trafford.

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