Opta Stats: QPR to end agony against London rivals

Adel Taarabt is a player capable of changing the game for QPR

Armed with the Opta stats, Christian Crowther selects four bets to accompany the weekend's Premier League action...

Manchester United v Sunderland (Saturday, 15:00)
Only Arsene Wenger and Gerard Houllier have orchestrated more Premier League wins at Old Trafford than Martin O'Neill (2). O'Neill is also the only manager ever to win there with two different teams
It would be bold to suggest that Sunderland could steam into Old Trafford and walk away with all three points after a very disappointing start to their campaign. However, a rousing midweek win against Reading will certainly instil a great deal of confidence going into their encounter with the league leaders. Meetings in the past few seasons have been somewhat cagey, low-scoring affairs - the last five have all featured under 2.5 goals - and, if this one follows suit, O'Neill may just walk away with something.
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QPR v Fulham (Saturday, 15:00)
If QPR don't win this game, they will become the first top-flight team to fail to win any of their opening 17 games since Bolton in 1902/03
The kinds of records QPR are inadvertently breaking at the moment are not the sort any football manager wants to be associated with. At least Harry Redknapp can console himself with the thought that this agonising wait for a win has appeared closer to conclusion since his tenure began, with three draws on the bounce. There was enough evidence against Wigan - whom they led for two minutes - that his side are pulling together for the cause and against reluctant travellers Fulham, who have won just one in 10 on the road, they have a great chance to finally lay this hugely unwelcome ghost to rest.
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Tottenham v Swansea (Sunday, 13:30, Sky Sports 1)
Both teams have scored in five of Tottenham's last six games
Andres Villas-Boas' Tottenham side were dealt a harsh Premier League lesson at Goodison Park last Sunday as two last-gasp goals turned what looked like a Spurs' victory into a heart-breaking defeat. Next up for them are Swansea, who themselves were shell-shocked by a rampant Norwich after displaying some top form in the league of late. Both sides play attractive football, but natural attacking instincts and adventurous full backs can leave them exposed at the back. 
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Reading v Arsenal (Monday, 20:00, Sky Sports 1)
The Royals have only managed one clean sheet in the league all season, the lowest tally of all Premier League sides
These teams served up the game of the season in that 12-goal League Cup thriller and this unwanted theme of scoring many but conceding even more largely summarises Reading's travails at the Madejski this term. Against Manchester United, the Royals suffered a similar fate after leading twice. And when they aren't losing, they are mainly involved in high-scoring draws which have entertained but not rewarded the Berkshire outfit with enough points.  
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Recommended Bets:
Lay Manchester United to beat Sunderland @ 1.232/9
Back QPR to beat Fulham @ 2.546/4
Back both teams to score in Tottenham v Swansea @ 1.728/11
Back over 3.5 goals in Arsenal v Reading @ 2.6813/8