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Midweek in Numbers: Sunderland's struggle for clean sheets and Louis van Gaal enjoys the folly of youth

Fixture congestion plagues the Premier League once again and title chasing Leicester City will lo...



Midweek in Numbers: Sunderland...
Soccer

Midweek in Numbers: Sunderland's struggle for clean sheets and Louis van Gaal enjoys the folly of youth

Fixture congestion plagues the Premier League once again and title chasing Leicester City will look to keep challengers Tottenham and Arsenal at arm's length.

We here at Newstalk Sport have been crunching the numbers ahead of the latest round of fixtures.

1) Sunderland struggling to keep clean sheets

Sam Allardyce's side come off the back of defeat to West Ham on Saturday afternoon and will be hoping to get back to winning ways against a floundering Crystal Palace.

Whatever problems they've had in front of goal, it's their defensive capabilities which will worry Big Sam more.

Sunderland have only managed three clean sheets in the league all season and none in their last thirteen fixtures in the competition.

They had chances to get something out of the game at the Boleyn Ground, but it's in defense where their problems remain.

They welcome Palace to the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night and the return of Connor Wickham, who netted twice against West Brom on Staurday. 

Will the striker come back to haunt them?

West Ham United's Michail Antonio celebrates scored the winner against Sunderland on Saturday. Image: Adam Davy / PA Wire/Press Association Images

2) Louis van Gaal enjoying the folly of youth

While the injury crisis at Manchester United deepens - the side are without 17 players through injury - there are many reasons to be positive. 

Since the beginning of his tenure at the club, Louis van Gaal has handed 14 debuts to academy players.

In this latest batch of newcomers it's been Marcus Rashford who has captured the imagination, scoring four goals in two appearances for the club.

The 18-year-old also became the youngest player to score twice on his Premier League debut on Sunday and will likely lead the line once again as United host Watford on Wednesday night.

With a number a first team players set to return during the run-in, Manchester United could close in on an all important Champions League place.

Marcus Rashford has repaid his manager's faith inhim with a flurry of goals. Image: Martin Rickett / PA Wire/Press Association Images

3) Arsenal looking to get title challenge back on track

It would be naive to think that Arsenal are out of the title race after defeat to a weakened Manchester United side, but the result is likely to have a huge psychological on the players.

Graeme Souness savaged the team after the match saying: ‘I thought they would come here with an opportunity to put a marker on the wall and say, “We’re back in this race”. And they’ve been so insipid, so weak and pussyfooted.'

Third in the league and five points off the pace, they host Swansea City on Wednesday night.

They're looking to complete the league double over the Welsh side, a feat which they have never before accomplished.

In fact, it was Garry Monk's side last year who got the better of the Londoners on two occasions (2-1, 0-1).

Arsene Wenger will likely opt for fit-again Danny Welbeck to lead the line, he's got two goals in as many league games, while Frenchman Olivier Giroud hasn't scored in nine attempts.

Danny Welbeck scored against his old club, Manchester United, over the weekend. Image: Martin Rickett / PA Wire/Press Association Images

 

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