Top & Bottom Feature in Premier League Trends - Gameweek 12

WhoScored looks ahead to this weekend in the Premier League, analysing the trends in fixtures gone by between some of the opposing sides in Gameweek 12. While 1st play 3rd at the Etihad, there is an arguably more important match-up at the foot of the table, with Wigan hosting Blackburn. We also advise you on the player to look out for this weekend, with this week’s candidate causing havoc last season for the opposing defenders he is set to face come Monday.

Newcastle's Defence Finally Set to be Breached

If one looks merely at league standings, then this Saturday's game between league leaders Man City and surprise package Newcastle definitely stands out as the best of the weekend. With Chelsea and Liverpool in action against one another it has been overshadowed, however, despite both teams remaining unbeaten.

The match pits the league's most potent attack against its most resolute defence as Manchester City look to add to their mammoth 39 goal tally and increase Newcastle's hugely impressive goals against column, with just 8 conceded by the Toon so far. When researching the recent record between the sides it becomes evident that Pardew's dream start to the season may well come to an end this weekend.

The Magpies are without a win in 9 league matches against City, losing 7 of those and conceding 19 goals in that span (over 2 per game on average). Carlos Tevez scored in both games last season (2-1 and 3-1 wins respectively) but will most certainly be absent, not just in the game but also the country! City's record has hardly taken a knock in his absence and in fact, Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli are thriving in the Argentine's wake.

Goals Assured in Bottom of the Table Battle

While the aforementioned clash at the Etihad catches the eye due to its in-form opponents, this weekend's game at the DW Stadium is an intriguing one for completely different reasons. Wigan, who sit bottom of the league, host a Blackburn side just a point and a place above them in 19th.

Despite their woeful starts to the campaign respectively, with Wigan in particular failing in front of goal, the recent games between the sides have seen goals aplenty, and this could be no different. Over the past 6 league meetings there have been 20 goals between the sides, and the hosts will be looking to improve on their league low of 7 this season, with Blackburn missing some key defenders.

With Chris Samba joining the likes of Ryan Nelsen and Michel Salgado on the injury list, and the latter's right-back replacement Jason Lowe now suspended, Kean is down to the bare bones at the back. Scott Dann is still a doubt, meaning that Gael Givet may be the only regular starting defender in the line-up, with the Frenchman facing an out of sorts Hugo Rodallega. The Colombian has attempted 25 shots at goal without scoring this season, while Givet has completed just 1.2 tackles per game.

Drab Draws Destined at West Brom & Sunderland

Sunderland and Fulham go head-to-head on Saturday on equal points (10) in 15th and 16th respectively. The fact that there is all but nothing between them in the league - both sides winning twice, drawing four times and losing five, as well as scoring 14 each - is not the only indicator that points to a draw this weekend.

There had only been 2 goals scored between the sides in the previous 5 meetings prior to a 3-0 away win for Fulham in this fixture last term, with the games so tight that Fulham have kept 5 clean sheets in the last 6, while the Black Cats have kept 4. The hosts have failed to score in all of their last 4 matches against Fulham, and with the visitors scoring just 3 goals away from Craven Cottage this term, this game has a bore draw written all over it!

Another game that may be lacking in the goals department this weekend could be played out at the Hawthorns, where West Brom host Bolton. Owen Coyle's side's win at home last season ended a run of four straight draws in this fixture, while the last 3 to be played on West Brom's turf have ended in a share of the spoils, with just 4 goals between them in those games.

Player to Watch - Rafael van der Vaart

Spurs versus Villa is a typically tight affair but one man who made the difference in both fixtures last term was Rafael van der Vaart. The Dutchman's fitness, or lack there of, may be key to the outcome of this match after he struck all 4 of Tottenham's goals against Monday night's opponents in respective 2-1 wins last season. Interestingly, Villa's scorer was the same in both fixtures as well, with young winger Marc Albrighton netting in both games, though he, like van der Vaart, is doubtful to play.

While the Villa man is struggling for confidence having failed to start a league game this season, van der Vaart has a hamstring problem that Redknapp will be desperate for him to overcome. The Dutchman averaged 2 goals, 6.5 shots, 2.5 key passes and a WhoScored rating of 8.72 against Villa last season compared to an average of 0.35 goals, 4 shots, 2.4 key passes and a rating of 7.36 in the rest of his 26 appearances last term.