Opta Stats: Newcastle to retaliate against Swansea

Alan Pardew intends to be smiling come Saturday's final whistle

With the help of Opta, Christian Crowther picks out four bets from this weekend's fascinating Premier League action...

Liverpool v Wigan (Saturday, 15:00)
Last season's 2-1 win at Anfield was only the second time Wigan had scored more than one goal in a game against Liverpool
Typically, Wigan followed an absolutely stunning performance away at Tottenham by stumbling to a home defeat against West Brom, who hadn't triumphed on the road all season. Liverpool on the other hand have been resilient of late if nothing else, stretching their unbeaten league run to six games with a well-earned point at Stamford Bridge. Something which unites both sides however is a distinct lack of goals, Wigan averaging 0.5 per game on the road in their last four, and Liverpool only scoring more than one once in six league games at Anfield. 
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Newcastle v Swansea (Saturday, 15:00)
Newcastle have won five and lost none of the last seven games against Swansea in all competitions
Newcastle will be smarting after Sunday's loss at home to West Ham and Alan Pardew will expect a big reaction from his stars. It's difficult to pinpoint what happened against the Irons but Pardew is unlikely to stand for such lethargy from his players when Swansea roll into toon. The Swans' opening-day emphatic away win against QPR is starting to look more and more like an anomaly now, as Michael Laudrup's charges have since lost three of their four Premier League fixtures on the road since. 
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QPR v Southampton (Saturday, 15:00)
Southampton have conceded seven goals in the final 15 minutes of matches this season; more than any other side
To be fair, it doesn't seem to matter what minute it is this season, Southampton look vulnerable from the first to the last whistle in the Premier League. A record amount of goals conceded by this time of the year says all you need to know about Saints' defending this term. They should, however, get some respite against QPR, who have only mustered five goals from their last seven league games at Loftus Road, with two of the three this season two arriving after the break. 
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West Brom v Chelsea (Saturday, 15:00)
West Brom are the only Premier League team yet to concede a goal in the opening 30 minutes of games this term
West Brom have been a revelation under new boss Steve Clarke this season and it's all credit to him that they entertain his old club with just four points separating them. As the stat suggests, defensive resolve is at the heart of this improvement from a side which clearly knows how to switch on from the word go. Their visitors are bound to ask questions but if they do break through, the stats suggest it's more likely to be after the half-time oranges. Nine of Chelsea's last 11 away strikes have come in the second 45.
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Recommended Bets:
Back under 2.5 goals in Liverpool v Wigan @ 2.245/4
Back Newcastle to beat Swansea @ 1.9720/21
Back the second half to feature the most goals in QPR v Southampton @ 2.26/5
Back the second half to feature the most goals in West Brom v Chelsea @ 2.26/5