Opta Stats: Chelsea to enhance tension at Sunderland

Chelsea have a terrific record against Sunderland

It's time for some Opta-infused tipping as Christian Crowther examines four weekend Premier League games...

Southampton v Reading (Saturday, 15:00)
Southampton have conceded more goals than any other Premier League team this season (32)
It's no surprise to see two teams which finished just a point apart in the Championship separated by just one place in the Premier League. Both teams have struggled for points and this can mainly be attributed to their goals against columns. Saints were on a good little run until defeat at Anfield though, whereas Reading have lost their last three despite notching a trio of goals against Manchester United last week. Two porous defences should make for an entertaining spectacle. 
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Sunderland v Chelsea (Saturday, 15:00)
Chelsea have won 14 and lost one of the last 15 Premier League games against Sunderland
The Stamford Bridge Rafa-lution finally received an injection of impetus with Chelsea's 6-1 mauling of FC Nordsjaelland in the Champions League on Wednesday, even if it counted for little in the end. Next up is a fixture which Chelsea must win if they are to cling on to any semblance of a title challenge. Sunderland are probably the perfect opponents to invigorate Chelsea's fading aspirations too, having produced just a solitary league win in their last nine matches, a run featuring five defeats. 
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Everton v Tottenham (Sunday, 15:00)
Everton have conceded the most goals in the opening 15 mins (6), Tottenham the fewest (0)
With Marouane Fellaini spearheading this exciting Everton team, the Toffees have rightly picked up plaudits this season. However, it will not have gone unnoticed amongst the Goodison Park faithful that their team has a damaging propensity for drawing - no fewer than seven of their last nine Premier League games finishing level. As the italicised stat suggests, this is due in some part to poor defensive concentration levels early on in games and, against a Tottenham side with goal threats aplenty, this could be their Achilles heel again. 
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West Ham v Liverpool (Sunday, 16:00, Sky Sports 1)
Liverpool have lost only one of their last 10 Premier League games (W4 D5 L1)
Maybe it's something Liverpool have caught off Everton or vice-versa but the Reds too have been caught in the snare of frequent drawing, with seven in total this term. This owes plenty to the lack of goal contribution from everyone besides Luis Suarez. So, with their talisman suspended for this trip to West Ham - slayers of Chelsea last time out - it's difficult to see the Hammers backline being too severely tested. The only thing Liverpool have going for them is an obvious resoluteness on the road, demonstrated by one league loss in six.
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Recommended Bets:
Back over 3.5 goals in Southampton v Reading @ 2.8415/8
Back Chelsea to win at Sunderland @ 1.824/5 
Back Tottenham to score first (Next Goal) away to Everton @ 2.6213/8
Back the draw in West Ham v Liverpool @ 3.412/5