The Times sports journalist returns for another statistical look at England’s top-flight…
“If Agüero scores early at Molineux, it might be worth a punt on him doing so again in the same match.”
Lucky number seven for Klopp, Sarri or Pochettino?
The honour of managing the league champions has been shared around equally for the past seven seasons – the first time that has happened since the early 1970s. Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola (quite likely) and Manchester United’s José Mourinho (not so likely) could end that sequence by repeating recent triumphs this season, but Liverpool’s Jürgen Klopp, Chelsea’s Maurizio Sarri and Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino could extend the run. For the record the last sequence of seven different managers winning the title was ended by Bob Paisley who led Liverpool to consecutive league triumphs in 1975-76 and 1976-77 (full list: Harry Catterick (Everton 1969-70), Bertie Mee (Arsenal 1970-71), Brian Clough (Derby 1971-72), Bill Shankly (Liverpool 1972-73), Don Revie (Leeds 1973-74), Dave Mackay (Derby 1974-75), Bob Paisley (Liverpool 1975-76)
Aguero – feast or famine?
Sergio Agüero has scored 12 goals in his past 13 Premier League appearances for Manchester City but that does not mean he is almost certain to score in their next match, away to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. The Argentina striker’s goals have been coming in bursts within games: he has failed to score in eight of his past 13 league matches, but in three of those other five appearances he hit a hat-trick. His treble against Huddersfield Town at the weekend followed three goals against Newcastle United and four against Leicester City. If Agüero scores early at Molineux, it might be worth a punt on him doing so again in the same match.
Saints fail to serve up the goals
Southampton’s home crowd are being starved of goals to celebrate. They have seen their team’s goalscoring cut by more than a half over the past two years compared with the previous two years. Having produced exactly two goals per league game at St Mary’s in the two campaigns up to summer 2016, they have managed under one goal per home match in the two years since then.
Source: Betfair Premier League
