Premier League GW38+ � Sunday 26th July 2020
That's it, we've done it. We've finally reached the end of what at times looked like being either an early ending or never ending season and although Liverpool will earn the ultimate spoils, there are still some plot lines that are left to tie up.
Will there be drama in the race for the top four, can Tottenham pip Wolves to sixth and more importantly which of the three relegation stricken clubs will find themselves on the correct side of the relegation dotted line.
Of course, there's also the small matter of your FPL mini-leagues to worry about and with desperate changes over the past few days, you might need a litany of statistical knowledge to get you over the line and with that in mind, it is time for the final round of…..
Did You Know?
Bournemouth have lost their last 9 away matches (Premier League). That certainly does not bode well for their trip to Goodison Park on Sunday.
Also, Bournemouth have made the fewest successful passes that were played off the ground per game in the Premier League this season, with 13.05. Perhaps a failure to mix things up, has proved costly for Eddie Howe and his players.
Not to mention, Diego Rico (Bournemouth) has blocked the most crosses in the Premier League this season, with 30. This would indicate that their defence has been kept rather busy this season and more often than not, busy has not necessarily meant effective.
The same could be said for Aston Villa if they suffer relegation and Tyrone Mings has blocked the most shots in the Premier League this season, with 47.
The Villa defence has been the obvious Achilles heel for Dean Smith this season and when you look at the 66 goals they've conceded, you can start to see the picture that has been painted in the West Midlands.
With that said, it is not all doom and gloom and the fact that they are still in with a chance of avoiding relegation this Sunday, shows that there is still plenty of fight within the camp. Something that cannot be said for the two teams referenced immeaditely below.
Crystal Palace have lost their last 7 matches (Premier League). If the run is extended to eight on Sunday, then there might have to be the awkward conversation regarding Roy Hodgson's employment at Selhurst Park.
Norwich have lost their last 9 matches (Premier League) and there's no way, that is not extended to 10 on Sunday.
In addition to such a barren run, Norwich's goal average is down to just 0.70 per game and the Canaries have scored just once during their run of nine defeats.
Manchester United's unbeaten league record has extended to 13, a very impressive figure but could home draws prove to be their ultimate top four undoing.
Burnley have been quietly going about their business as of late and Sean Dyche's men have gone unbeaten in their last seven league outings, could Sunday be the last hurrah for the Ginger lothario?
With that said, Brighton a team not usually known for the form on the road, are currently unbeaten in their last six away days. Testament to the work that Graham Potter has done with Brighton this season.
Merseyside is showing that home is where the heart is, as Liverpool have gone fifty-eight games unbeaten at home (a stupendous figure), while Everton are no slouches at Goodison Park and have not tasted defeat in their last 11 showings.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) has attempted the most shots in the Premier League this season, with 129. Which means from the 19 goals that he has scored, he has a shot conversion percentage of 14.72% (One shot in every seven finds the back of the net)
Talking of finding the back of the net, the Golden Boot is almost in Jamie Vardy's grasp and he will be the favourite to claim full possession of it by the end of the week. However, it is not quite the foregone conclusion that he would have hoped for.
A two-goal margin over Danny Ings might just see him over the line, although the Southampton forward will be kicking himself regarding that missed penalty against Bournemouth on Sunday.
