Premier League statistical preview, including Tottenham vs West Ham; Southampton vs Liverpool; Hull vs QPR
WhoScored.com, who offer the largest online database for detailed football statistics, preview the top matches the Premier League this weekend
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Your support makes all the difference.Hull vs QPR
It might not be the glamour tie of gameweek 26 in the Premier League, far from it in fact, but Hull's meeting with QPR is one of those famous 6-pointers. The two teams are separated by just 1 point and 1 position in the spots immediately above the relegation zone. In turn you can expect a tense affair in keeping with the recent meetings between the two sides. Hull ran out 1-0 winners on the opening day of the season but the three games before that between the two were all low scoring draws.
Both teams will be looking to build on vital victories that pulled them out of the drop zone last time out, with QPR's of particular relevance given that it was their very first away win, and indeed points, of the season. They'll be hoping that victories on the road come around like buses then, with Chris Ramsey now officially in the driver's seat.
The Rangers boss will be delighted that Charlie Austin's injury was far less serious than it first appeared and he should lead the line, though only 4 of his 13 league strikes this season have come on the road. Steve Bruce, meanwhile, will have been very encouraged by Dame N'Doye's home debut after the striker scored and registered an assist in a crucial 2-0 win over Villa, unsurprisingly earning WhoScored.com's man of the match rating in turn (8.17).
Tottenham vs West Ham
There's a London derby to kick-off proceedings on 'Super Sunday', with no love lost between Tottenham and West Ham. The Hammers' unlikely bid for European football has been derailed in recent months, while Spurs are still very much in the running for a place in the top 4. It's the Harry Kane story at White Hart Lane right now, while this match last season will be best remembered for a fine individual goal from another English youngster, though Ravel Morrison's West Ham career is now dead and buried.
That seems unlikely to happen to fan favourite Kane at Spurs, however, with the striker all but certain to have earned a place in Roy Hodgson's next international squad having scored 23 goals in all competitions this season - more than any other Premier League player. On the opposing side West Ham will be without another front man that would have been harbouring England aspirations after another long-term injury to Andy Carroll. The free transfer of former PSG winger Nene is an intriguing one, however, and should bolster Allardyce's attacking ranks.
This should be a hard-fought encounter regardless, with three wins apiece in their last 6 encounters, and the fact that Spurs have a tough fixture with Fiorentina in midweek certainly plays in the visitor's favour. Nevertheless, with just one league win in 8 the away side will rightly be the underdogs and one wouldn't rule out yet another 2-1 win for Pochettino's men, who have earned such a scoreline 8 times already in the league this season.
Southampton vs Liverpool
Where West Ham have fallen off the pace since Christmas Southampton just refuse to do so, still holding a top four spot having lost just one of their last 9 league encounters. If there is one side in better form at present, however, it is Liverpool, with Brendan Rodgers' men unbeaten in their last 9 league matches since a 3-0 defeat to United last December and successful transition to 3-man defence.
Although three places separate the two sides there are only four points in it and if Liverpool can earn a victory at St. Mary's that gap will be reduced to just 1, arguably making the final match of the weekend in the Premier League the most highly anticipated. The Reds, like Spurs, have to do battle in the Europa League on Thursday first however, before making the trip to the south coast, and such circumstances could prove costly against a side renowned as one of the fittest in England's top-flight.
While Liverpool have their new 'SAS' fit and firing once more, with both Sterling and Sturridge netting in the reverse fixture, a lack of goals for Saints target man Graziano Pelle will be a concern to Ronald Koeman. The big Italian has started every league match for Southampton this season but failed to score in his last 8 appearances in the top-flight and it seems as though a lack of competition may actually be affecting his performances having missed just 28 minutes of action all season long.
All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find yet more stats, including live in-game data and unique player and team ratings. You can follow all the scores, statistics, live player and team ratings with the new free-to-download WhoScored iOS app
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