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Weekend in Numbers: Chelsea look to maintain unbeaten run and Tottenham prepared to shut out United

It's only when you sit back and take stock of just about everything that's happened this sea...



Weekend in Numbers: Chelsea lo...
Soccer

Weekend in Numbers: Chelsea look to maintain unbeaten run and Tottenham prepared to shut out United

It's only when you sit back and take stock of just about everything that's happened this season do you really begin to appreciate how teams can change over the course of 38 games.

Brendan Rodgers, Tim Sherwood and Jose Mourinho have all been among the managerial casualties. Jamie Vardy scored in 11 consecutive games to shatter Ruud van Nistlerooy's record.

We are well and truly into the back end of the season and ahead of the last final push for league title and league survival we once again take a look at some of the stand-out numbers ahead of the weekend.

 

1) Chelsea look to maintain unbeaten league run

Chelsea continue to piece together the remnants of a broken season and every week are another step closer to putting together a more respectable league finish.

When Jose Mourinho was dismissed on the 17th of December eyebrows were raised as to whether a team so dysfunctional to its very core would, who had accrued only four league wins and a further nine league defeats, could turn their season around.

Since the departure of the Portuguese manager, Chelsea have gone 15 consecutive games unbeaten in the Premier League.

Defeat in the FA Cup and a Champions League exit at the hands of PSG have all but ensured they will not play in Europe next season, but there must be some acknowledgment for that remarkable run of games.

Guus Hiddink may add another scalp to that list when they travel to Swansea this weekend. 

After a poor start to the season, Hiddink looks on track to guide the London club to a top half finish. Image: Adam Davy / EMPICS Sport

 

2) Tottenham prepared to shut out Manchester United

Manchester United's visits to White Hart Lane have usually been high scoring affairs, the last four season have hosted 2-2 and 1-1 draws as well as a 3-1 defeat for the home side.

This season there has been a marked difference in the Tottenham rearguard and Mauricio Pochettino has ensured his side have conceded the least goals in the league (25).

In their last five home games they've only conceded four goals and over the course of the season have only conceded more than one goal at home on three occasions.

When you factor in Manchester United's scoring record this season (39), getting a result this time around could be a whole lot trickier for Louis van Gaal.

Tottenham have boasted the meanest defence in the league this season. Image:  Scott Heavey / PA Archive/Press Association Images

 

 

3) Crystal Palace meet Norwich in relegation six-pointer

The pressure is mounting on Alan Pardew. They may have avoided defeat last week at West Ham, but the result still left them 14 league games without a win.

A run-in which includes Manchester United, Everton, Arsenal and a Southampton side with European aspirations would be difficult for any team.

Norwich come back into the game on the back of consecutive victories and will look to maintain their good form.

Palace face their next two games at home before three on the road in which they look unlikely to pick up any points.

If they are to avoid a scrap going into the last five games, they'll desperately need a win.

Crystal Palace are in dire need of a win if they want to avoid the drop. Image: Steve Paston / PA Wire/Press Association Images

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